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Idioms and colloquialisms 1 e

Idioms and colloquialisms (spoken expressions) are a common feature of the TOEFL Listening n
Comprehension. There are a lot of them, and each one has to be learnt individually. Often, but not er
always, it is possible to identify the meaning of an idiom or a colloquialism from the context in which
it is being used. al
The idioms and colloquialisms exercises in this book focus on some of the most commonly-used
V
expressions. o
Exercise 1 ca
Complete the dialogs with an expression from the box. b
I couldn't agree more. • I couldn't care less. • I really don't mind. It's up to
you. It does nothing for me. • Let me sleep on it. • Never mind. It can't be
1. A.helped.
Shall weNoeat
way!
outNot
or doa chance! • You've
you want me to cookgot to be kidding! • Why not? Go for
it! something?
B.
Wow! Way to go! • You should really get a life. • You're welcome, but it was nothing really.
A. OK. In that case, let's eat out.

2. A. The economics seminar has been canceled yet again.

B.
A. I'm afraid not. Professor Parkhill sure seems to be absent a lot these days.

3. A. Our history lessons are really boring, aren't they.

B.
A. Right. Perhaps we shouldn't have chosen it as an option.

4. A. We're going to Mo's bar tonight. Want to come?

B.
A. Come on, don't be like that! It'll be fun!

5. A. I need a decision as soon as possible.

B.
A. Well, to be honest, I'd rather you told me now.

6. A. Are you interested in science?

B.
A. Me neither. I find it really boring.

7. A. I spent most of the weekend lying in bed and watching TV.

B.
A. I know! You're not the first person to say that.

8. A. If you don't work harder, you'll fail your exams.

B.
A. Well, you should. Your whole future might depend on them.

9. A. I've passed all my exams – grade A's all round!

B.
A. Thanks. I never thought I'd be able to do it.

10. A. Do you think I should apply to the University of West Virginia?

B.
A. All right, I will. Thanks.

11. A. Thank you so much for all your help. I couldn't have done it without you.
B.

1
A. No, really, I really appreciate it.

12. A. I'm really sorry that I lost your dictionary.

B.
A. Nevertheless, I promise to replace it.

2
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n Exercise 2
er Instructions as above.

al Let me lend a hand. • How's it going? • How should I know?

V 1. I'm a bit tiedI have

A. Can up for the time
a look essay •to get
being.
at your I'm agoing to give it all I've got. • Is it any
few ideas?
wonder? Oh, I'm used to it. • Sure. Why not? • What a drag! • What do you have
B.
A.
o in mind?
Thanks. I'll do the same for you next time.
ca You bet! • You're out of luck.

b 2. A. I'm working really hard for my exam at the moment.

B.
A. Oh, not bad. I'm fairly confident of passing.

3. A. Where's Murai today?

B.
A. Don't be like that. I was only asking.

4. A. We need to finish this assignment by Monday. There goes our weekend.

B.
A. I know, but we'll make up for it next weekend.

5. A. Want to come to the concert tonight?

B.
A. That's great. I'll go and get us some tickets.

6. A. Do you think you'll pass your exams?

B.
A. That's the spirit! Well, good luck.

7. A. Do you find it difficult getting up at 6 o'clock every morning?

B.
A. I suppose you must be. You've been doing it for so long.

8. A. We're thinking of doing something to celebrate the end of the semester.

B.
A. I'm not sure, really. Perhaps a barbecue, or something like that.

9. A. Are there any tickets left for tonight's show?

B.
A. I thought so. Oh well, never mind.

10. A. I have to get the hall ready for tonight's lecture.

B.
A. That's really kind of you.

11. A. I was wondering if you could help me with my assignment.

B.
A. Yes, I thought you might be a bit busy right now.
 12. A. Poor Sarah failed to get a good grade in her TOEFL once again.
B.
A. Right. She never seems to do any preparation for it.
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Idioms and colloquialisms 2 e
Exercise 1 n
Complete these dialogs with an appropriate expression from the box. er
A little bird told me. • Be my guest. • Fire away, I'm all ears. • I'd be glad to I'm
having second thoughts. • I'm keeping my fingers crossed. • My lips are sealed. al
1. NowA.you're
B.
you mind•looking
Wouldtalking! Rather youmy
after than while •I goThat'll
bag me. to thebe
Who let the cat out of the bag?
the
rest day! • That'll teach you!
room?
V
2. A. Do you mind if I sit here?
o
B. ca
3. A. How do you know the test has been canceled? b
B.

4. A. I'd be really grateful if you didn't tell anyone about it.

B.

5. A. Do you think you'll pass the exam?

B.

6. A. I've signed up for extra sociology classes with Professor Dullman.

B.

7. A. I've got some really interesting news.

B.

8. A. You don't want to work tonight? OK, let's go to the theater instead.
B.

9. A. I thought you were going to apply for a place on the Theory of Knowledge course.
B.

10. A. I promise to work harder from now on.

B.

11. A. I hear that you're going to throw a surprise party for my birthday.
B.

12. A. I've just eaten six hot dogs, and now I've got a terrible stomach ache.
B.

Exercise 2
Instructions as above.
Congratulations. • Couldn't be better. • Hold on. • I'd love to. • I'd rather you didn't.
Oh, that's too bad. • Oh, this is on me. • Sure, touch wood.
1. A. I can't afford to go to the concert tonight.
Thanks.
B. Make yourself at home. • The name doesn't ring any bells. • You're welcome.
Yes. Take care and keep in touch.
2. A. I've managed to get a place on the Advanced Studies program.
B.

3. A. Would you like to come to Gino's tonight?

B.

4. A. Thank you very much for all your help.

B.

5. A. Oh wow! What a great room. It's wonderful.

B.
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n 6. A. We'd better leave now – our train leaves in half an hour.
er B.
al 7. A. It's been nice seeing you again. Let's get together again soon.
V B.

o 8. A. Hi, Tom. How are you?

ca B.

b 9. A. Do you mind if I smoke in here?

B.

10. A. I didn't do too well in the end of semester exams.

B.

11. A. Have you ever heard of the Darwin Awards?

B.

12. A. Do you think you'll do well in tomorrow's test?

B.

Exercise 3
Instructions as above.
Have a good time. • How's it going? • Oh well, it's not the end of the world. • I'll say.
1. about halfway •through
A. I'mGesundheit! Not on myyour life! • Of course. Take a seat.
essay.
B. you're in the doghouse again. • Sure thing. • That's a load off my mind.
So I guess
Well, keep it to yourself. • Well, take it easy. Don't kill yourself.
2. A. I thought the lecture on the Declaration of Independence was great. Did you enjoy it?
B.

3. A. Snake is considered a delicacy in some countries. Would you ever consider eating it?
B.

4. A. Professor de Gruchy has extended the deadline for our essays to Thursday, so you don't need to worry about
not finishing it on time.
B.

5. A. Did you know that our economics teacher has left the questions for tomorrow's test lying on his desk?
B.

6. A. Could you give me a bit of help with this assignment?

B.

7. A. Can I come in?

B.

8. A. I have so much to do by Monday; two essays to write, a presentation to prepare, and I have to do some
research on the history of the U.N.
B.

9. A. I'm so depressed. That's the third time I've failed my driver’s test.
B.

10. A. I'm off to Niagara Falls for the weekend. See you Monday.
B.

11. A. I forgot my boyfriend's birthday last week.

B.

12. A. Aaachoooooooo!
B.
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Idioms and colloquialisms 3 e
Connect the first part of each sentence in the first box on this page with the second half in the n
second box on the next page. Use the expressions in bold to help you make the connection. er
1. If you come late, could you please let me…
al
V
2. I was rather unhappy when she made a… o
3. The project was more or… ca
b
4. I just need to complete this essay, and then my coursework will be over once and…

5. His lectures are generally really dull, but once in…

6. I've never been too…

7. There are parts of the course which are a bit boring, but on the…

8. Don't try to do everything at once. Try to do things step by…

9. There's a chance that sooner or…

10. When you first start a new job, it can take a while to learn the…

11. I know you have a lot of work, but look on the bright …

12. The President can't be in his right…

13. You shouldn't go over his…

14. You're kidding. You're pulling my…

15. It can be difficult to make ends…

16. Try to make the most of your…

17. I asked Ron to get the computer fixed, and he promised to take…

18. I understand the theory, but I get mixed…

19. Don't worry about the exam. Just give it…

20. I'm not sure whether to take a vacation this summer. I'll decide one way or…

21. I wasn't sure whether to apply for a Ph.D. course, but in the end I decided to go…

22. I got a grade A for my first assignment of the year. That's a good…

23. For years he was ignored, then all at…

24. Many people believe that it's about…

25. I've changed…

1
 26. He had some excellent plans, but they never really got off…

2
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n A. …big on science; I've always preferred the arts.
er
al B. …the ground.

V C. …whole it's really good.

o
ca D. …start, isn't it?

b E. …all you've got and hope for the best.

F. …for all. It'll be a real relief.

G. …mind, making a stupid decision like that.

H. …step until you've finished.

I. …up when I try to describe it on paper.

J. …the other when I see my exam results.

K. …care of it at the earliest opportunity.

L. …leg. Right?

M. …my mind about attending Professor Malkovich's course.

N. …for it and see what happens.

O. …meet when you're a student on a low income.

P. …later the students will demand some real changes.

Q. …ropes and become familiar with the way things work.

R. …head and make your own decisions.

S. …point of reminding me about my previous bad grades.

T. …less complete when someone pointed out they had missed some details.

U. …know in advance.

V. …time when you're in New York.

W. …side; at least you won't get bored this weekend!

X. …a while there's something of interest.

Y. …time more money was invested in education.

Z. …once, people began paying attention to what he had to say.
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Idioms and colloquialisms 4 e
Exercise 1 n
Choose the correct underlined word to complete each of the idioms in bold. The meaning of each er
idiom is in brackets after the sentence. al
1. You shouldn't try to burn the match / lighter / candle at both ends; you'll exhaust yourself. (to
get up early in the morning and go to bed late at night on a regular basis) V
o
2. Once he started looking into the details, he realized what a can of worms / beans / beer
they were opening. (a difficult and complicated situation)
ca
b
3. It was a difficult decision, but he decided to take the goat / cow / bull by the horns and tell
his boss that he wanted to leave the company. (to deal bravely or confidently with a difficult
situation)

4. Some insurance companies make their customers pay through the ears / nose / mouth for their
services. (to pay a lot of money)

5. He knew that what they were doing was wrong, but turned a blind / closed / cold eye to it.
(to pretend not to notice, to ignore)

6. Many people like to get off the beaten road / path / track when they take a
vacation. (somewhere quiet, where not a lot of people go)

7. If you're pressed / crushed / squeezed for time, we can talk later. (busy, in a hurry)

8. I've been feeling a bit under the thumb / weather / table recently, but I'm feeling better
now. (slightly sick)

9. He's a rather boring person, but once in a blue / red / green moon, he'll come out
with something really amazing. (very rarely)

10. I'm afraid your request is out of the answer / statement / question. (not possible, unacceptable)

11. He gave us some information that was strictly off the books / record / list. (unofficial, to be
kept secret)

12. We don't want to lose land / ground / place in the baseball competition. (to become less
successful than the others)

13. Let's have a party at the beginning of the year. It will help to break the ice / mold / air. (to
make people feel more friendly and willing to talk to each other)

14. Everybody should say exactly how they feel. That should clear the room / air / feelings. (to
help end an argument or disagreement)

15. It's very rude to talk shop / work / jobs when you're out with other people. (to discuss your job
with a coworker, usually in a social situation where there are others present)

16. Don't let him stop you; stand your land / place / ground and tell him you won't change
your mind. (to refuse to change your mind about something, even when people oppose you)

17. I only just passed my exam. It was a very far / close / exact thing. (something almost did or didn't
happen)
18. What's happened? Put me in the picture / story / scene. (to let somebody know what
has happened, usually when other people already know)
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n Exercise 2
er Instructions as above.
al 1. You've really made a name / title / place for yourself, haven't you? (to become well
known, famous and / or respected)
V
o 2. Have you seen his house? It's out of this planet / earth / world. (extremely good, wonderful, etc.)

ca 3. He knew I was friendly with his boss, and asked me to pull a few legs / strings / ropes for
b him. (to use your influence with somebody in order to get something)

4. Donna played / did / went hooky again today; that's the third lecture she's missed this week. (to
miss a lesson, class, etc., for no good reason)

5. My bank account's in the black / red / pink again. (to owe money to the bank because you've
spent too much)

6. I've completed three out of my five essays already. So far, so good / fine / acceptable. (until
now, everything is going well)

7. I'm really angry with Jerry. It's time I had it in / out / over with him. (to tell somebody you are
angry with them, and explain why)

8. His theories broke fresh earth / ground / land and changed the way people thought about
science. (to do something original or innovative)

9. He said that he had missed his lecture because he had to visit a sick relative, but I don't really think
he was on the air/ ground / level. (being honest and telling the truth)

10. It wasn't my fault! Why am I always the one to carry the can / tin / box? (being the person who is
considered responsible for something that has gone wrong)

11. University life can seem strange at first, but my advice is to go with the snow / flow / glow and
see what happens. (to do what seems the easiest thing in a particular situation)

12. I thought my last essay was really good, so old Professor Clack really rained on my show / carnival /
parade when he told me he thought it was terrible. (to spoil something or make it much less enjoyable)

13. The Dean has told me that unless I turn over a new leaf / book / paper, I might be asked to leave
the course. (to change your life by starting to be a better person or stopping a bad habit)

14. There are some good restaurants nearby that won't bankrupt / break / rob the bank. (not
expensive)

15. I can't talk to you now, I'm afraid. I'm running / walking / jumping a bit late. (to be slightly
later than normal)

16. He can be a bit unfriendly, but by and big / large / huge he's OK. (generally)

17. All right, everyone. We've achieved a lot in the last hour or so. Let's take three / four / five.
(to have a short break)
18. I don't know exactly what he's up to, but my fifth / sixth / seventh sense tells me he trying to
get out of doing his assignment. (a special ability to feel things that you cannot see, hear, touch, smell,
or taste)