Part 2 - Idioms
Part 2 - Idioms
Part 2 - Idioms
EXERCISES
1. It finally home to me that it was time to buy a place of my own.
A. arrived B. came C. hit D. reached
2. Well, it’s 7 p.m. I’d better hit the if I want to get home before it’s dark
A. roof B. headlines C. newspaper D. road
3. She’s the type who can’t sit on holiday and is always the move.
A. in B. on C. at D. by
4. She had never been to Prague before, and she in love with it straight away.
A. dropped B. fell C. tripped D. crashed
5. He didn’t speak a word of French when he first moved to France. He had to pick up the language from
.
A. scratch B. start C. nought D. nil
6. Tamara has set her on becoming a ballet-dancer.
A. head B. feet C. brain D. heart
7. Why not buy the dress on then you can take it back if it doesn’t fit your mother?
A. agreement B. approval C. affirmation D. affection
8. We’re free most of the weekend, but we’ve got a few bits and to do on Sunday morning.
A. things B. stuff C. pieces D. ends
9. It was so exciting! I was on the of my seat!
A. side B. edge C. end D. front
10. Insects and bugs .
A. make my skin run B. make my skin walk
C. make my skin crawl D. make my skin march
11. There are about twenty so people waiting in the outer office.
A. but B. and C. or D. so
12. Whether or not you like some kinds of modern furniture is a matter of .
A. comparison B. taste C. favor D. vogue
13. Clare was her homework when her boyfriend called.
A. at the centre B. in between
C. halfway through D. in the middle of
14. I’m starving! I could eat like a .
A. cow B. horse C. house D. pig
15. You must have your head in the if you think you’re going to succeed without hard work.
A. ground B. clouds C. sky D. air
16. How much longer do we have to wait? This is starting to get on my .
A. mind B. back C. nerves D. nose
17. “I’m to listen to your pathetic excuses,” she said.
A. sick and tired B. having enough
C. in no mood D. sick to death
18. The fact of the that we have a government that will do what it wants to do for the next two
years.
A. matter B. problem C. point D. situation
19. ! You deserved to win.
A. Unfair luck B. Nasty luck C. Hard luck D. Bad fortune
20. Mary wanted to give Nigel a present that was a little bit out of the .
A. normal B. ordinary C. average D. everyday
21. I know it’s early but I thought we ought to leave .
A. timely B. on time C. at the time D. in good time
22. The nearest town was 80 km away, I mean really in the middle of .
A. everywhere B. somewhere C. anywhere D. nowhere
23. I need to get some cash. Do you think we might pass a bank ?
A. in the way B. to the way C. on the way D. at the way
24. I couldn’t finish the exam because I was just too time.
A. run out of B. wasted C. spent D. short of
25. “Did you sleep well?” “Yeah, like a ”.
A. drunk B. log C. horse D. fish
26. Phillips offered Joan a to cry on after her husband’s death.
A. shoulder B. arm C. hand D. leg
27. There were a few small villages , but no major city for miles around.
A. on and off B. here and there
C. back and forth D. up and down
28. During the match, someone fire to the stadium.
A. opened B. put C. set D. caught
29. Several angry drivers shook their at me as I drove away
A. elbows B. arms C. hands D. fists
30. Each time I sneezed, everyone said: “ you!”
A. Cough B. Bless C. Cold D. Thank
31. I need an assistant - I’m up to with work.
A. my eyes B. my ears C. here C. All are correct
32. Stop making that noise! You’re getting on my !
A. muscles B. brains C. nerves D. blood
33. I don’t have any cash just now. I’m .
A. flat broken B. flat broke C. no money D. less money
34. She’s won the lottery! She’s the moon!
A. across B. over C. along D. through
35. I know your name is Jim. When I called you Tim it was just a of
A. slip B. skid C. skim D. slight
36. After a six-year-relationship, Martha and Billy have decided to .
A. break the bank B turn the page
C. make the grade D. tie the knot
37. If he thinks he’s capable of building a house on his own, he’s living .
A. in a fantasy world B. in the clouds
C. on the moon D. in the sky
38. She may seem unapproachable when you first meet her, but the truth is she has a(n)
of gold.
A. heart B. soul C. attitude D. feeling
39. On first coming to England, I fell in love with a girl who lived in the flat below mine.
A. feet over hands B. elbow to toe
C. foot in mouth D. head over heels
40. He’s such a ! Just when everyone is having a good time he starts moaning about being
tired.
A. dry bone B. soft touch C. wet blanket D. drop kick
41. The suspect was seen with intent outside of the jewellery store.
A. lying B. loitering C. waiting D. standing
42. I could tell from her face that she was on the of bursting into tears.
A. limit B. edge C. verge D. border
43. “Did you enjoy the party?”. Well, kind .
A. off B. of C. like D. or
44. Let’s settle this argument once and for .
A. all B. ever C. always D. once
45. I in love with her the first time, I saw her and we’ve just celebrated our 50th anniversary.
A. fell B. stumbled C. tripped D. tie the knot
46. “Can you tell me where Portsmouth Road is?
“Sorry, I haven’t got a .”
A. idea B. faintest C. clue D. knowledge
47. I don’t want to listen to any more of your half- ideas. Come back when you have some
ideas that aren’t impractical and stupid.
A. mashed B. peeled C. rinsed D. baked
48. Students sometimes support themselves by of evening jobs.
A. efforts B. methods C. means D. ways
49. She’s a very person, so her friends often ask her for advice.
A. practiced B. basic C. earthy D. down-to-earth
50. You should take notice of warnings which state that guard dogs are on .
A. alert B. patrol C. defence D. watch
51. I revised my views comments from colleagues.
A. against B. further to
C. in the light of D. consequent upon
52. Eating a bar of chocolate from time time won’t do you any harm.
A. in B. to C. at D. with
53. In most countries, driving tests are available on .
A. demand B. requesting C. question D. asking
54. What a heavy fog we have! I’m sure our flight will surely fall behind .
A. plan B. shipment C. time D. schedule
55. Mr. Henry was given a medal in of his service to his country.
A. response B. gratitude C. recognition D. knowledge
56. I won’t buy that car because it has too much on it.
A. ups and downs B. adds and ends
C. wear and tear D white lie
57. She passed the National High School Graduation Exam with colours.
A. bright B. flying C. red D. true
58. Taxis don’t follow any schedule; they come and go .
A. in sequence B. chronologically
C. at random D. punctually
59. I shall do the job to the best of my .
A. ability B. knowledge C. talent D. capacity
60. Can you deliver this letter hand?
A. in B. with C. to D. by
61. I’m opting out of the race and going to live on a small farm in the countryside.
A. horse B. dog C. rat D. cat and mouse
62. You can talk to him until you are in the face, but he still won’t understand.
A. white B. green C. yellow D. blue
63. He has been caught in the rain, and has been wet .
A. over and over B. once for all
C. to and fro D. through and through
64. I’m very lazy. I only go to the gym once in a moon.
A. full B. black C. new D. blue
65. Of course an encyclopedia is not a book you read .
A. from cover by page B. from cover to cover
C. from the start to the stop D. from the top to the end
66. Mr. Simkins is the big in the company as he has just been promoted to the position of
Managing Diretor.
A. bread B. cheese C. meat D. ends and odds
67. My English is progressing .
A. odds and ends B. leaps and bounds
C. bounds and leaps D. ends and oods
68. When you do something, you should .
A. get through to B. turn over a new leaf
C. weigh up the pros and cons D. go down well with
69. We regret to tell tou that the materials you ordered are .
A. out of reach B. out of practice
C. out of stock D. out of work
70. In the rush hour, the traffic its way over the bridge into the city.
A. crawled B. inched C. forced D. wormed
71. He put the two letters into the wrong envelopes mistake.
A. on B. by C. with D. in
72. I read the contract again and again avoiding making spelling mistakes.
A. in terms of B. by means of
C. with a view to D. in view of
73. Everyone can join our club, age and sex.
A. in place of B. regardless of
C. in case of D. not mention
74. When you use the Internet, you have so much information at your .
A. fingers B. hands C. thumbs D. fingertips
75. Without written evidence, we don’t have a on.
A. leg to stand B. foot to stand
C. leg to lean D. foot to lean
76. Human beings have driven rare animals and plants of extinction in the past 100 years
A. on the verge B. to the verge
C. under the verge D. at the verge
78. You can’t just bury your in the sand and hope that this problem goes away.
A. book B. hand C. head D. foot
79. He’s sometimes bad-tempered but he’s a good fellow .
A. in heart B. by heart C. at heart D. with heart
80. Stop about the bush, John! Just tell me exactly what the problem is.
A. rushing B. hiding C. beating D. moving
81. The director and the producer don’t see on certain aspects of products.
A. face to face B. heart to heart
C. mind to mind D. eye to eye
82. Mary Smith decided to give up her job for the of her children.
A. reason B. concern C. care D. sake
83. According to a recent survey, most people are on good with their neighbours.
A. relations B. terms C. acquaintance D. relationships
84. I just took it that hed always be available.
A. for granted B. into consideration
C. easy D. into account
85. She clearly joined the firm with a(n) to improving herself
professionally.
A. view B. aim C. plan D. ambition
86. Stefania’s decision to give up her job came as a to all her colleagues.
A. surprise B. delight C. pleasure D. concern
87. It’s a good idea in theory, but it’s going to be hard to put it into .
A. practice B. trial C. test D. examination
88. If you take into stopping for lunch on the way, the journey should
take about four hours.
A. thought B allowance C. reminder D. account
89. The opposition will be elected into government at the next election, without a of a doubt.
A. shade B. shadow C. benefit D. hue
90. I’ve never really enjoyed going to the ballet or the opera; they’re not really my .
A. piece of cake B. sweets and candy
C. biscuit D. cup of tea
91. In the of security, personnel must wear their identity badges at all time.
A. interests B. demands
C. assistance D. requirement
92. Vietnam’s Got Talent is the game show that has taken audiences .
A. by storm B. by wind C. by night D. by heart
93. When I got my case back, it had been damaged repair.
A. over B. further C. above D. beyond
94. We need to discuss the and bolts of the proposal before going any further.
A. component B. nuts C. summary D. details
95. Mr. Nixon refused to answer the questions on the that the matter was confidential.
A. reasons B. excuses C. grounds D. foundations
96. Jo was shocked when I disagreed with her. She’s so used to getting her own .
A. mind B. way C. opinion D. views
97. After listening to all arguments I am now of the that there should be no new road.
A. opinion B. idea C. thought D. attitude
98. He left the country arrest if he returned.
A. with threat of B. in fear of
C. with fear of D. under threat of
99. He was a natural singer with a voice that was as clear as .
A. a mirror B. a lake C. a bell D. a water fall
100. He may be shy now, but he will soon come out of his when he meets the right girl.
A. shell B. shoe C. shed D. hole
101. Luggage may be placed here the owner’s risk.
A. at B. by C. under D. with
102. The police are certain who the culprit is.
A. in some ways B. here and there
C. more or less D. by and by
103. Don’t quote me. what I am about to say is the record.
A. on B. above C. off D. without
104. I’ve been doing my best to reduce the backlog, but I must admit that I’ve hardly put in
the problem so far.
A. a foot B. a dent C. a brave face D. damper
105. We may win, we may lose - it’s just the luck of the .
A. draw B. odd C. fate D. chance
106. They are having serious problems. Their relationship is on the .
A. rocks B. cliffs C. stones D. grass
107. Unemployment threat has been for a while now.
A. daunting on the lookout B. intimidating on the air
C. overwhelming on the wing D. looming on the horizon
108. I don’t like turning down work, but I’ll have to, I’m afraid I’ve got far too much
at the moment.
A. on my plate B. in effect C. on my mind D. up my sleeve
109. William is an authority medieval tapestries.
A. on B. with C. about D. in
110. My grandfather can’t remember anything about his life because he has lost his .
A. head B. brain C. memory D. mind
111. Losing my job was a . I never would have found this one if it hadn’t happened.
A. bleeding heart B. breath of fresh air
C. blessing in disguise D. bone to pick with
112. We’re if we continue with genetic modification of our food.
A. playing out of our skin B. playing with fire
C. playing over D. adding fuel to the fire
113. After their argument, John didn’t know if Rick was a friend or a .
A. friend B. rival C. blood D. foe
114. I applied for the job the off chance, but I didn’t seriously expect to get it.
A. with B. on C. by D. for
115. They agreed to the changes that they would be introduced gradually.
A. with the conditions B. by the comprehension
C. for the interpretation D. on the understanding
116. The police are warning the public to be on the for suspicious packages.
A. guard B. care C. alert D. alarm
117. The issue is still discussion.
A. in B. on C. under D. for
118. Sitting uncomfortably among many people he didn’t know, Joe was like .
A. water off a duck’s back B. a fish out of water
C. a duck to water D. water under the bridge
119. What’s wrong with you today? Did you get out of bed on the wrong ?
A. edge B. foot C. side D. end
120. This house costs an arm and a .
A. leg B. hand C. finger D. forearm
121. He longs to see his family again.
A. above all B. all of a sudden C. as a rule D. all at once
122. The company can’t expect me to move my home and family at the drop of .
A. blood B. a water C. rain D. a hat
123. An accident of this magnitude could easily bring the factory’s production to a .
A. halt B. quit C. stay D. block
124. Nothing the ordinary ever happens here.
A. out of B. within C. from D. bout
125. A journalist is on a politician in order to damage the politician’s image.
A. digging his own grave B. digging up dirt
C. digging up out of the earth D. digging it out
126. We were having dinner in a restaurant last night when this guy at the next table
because the waiter brought the wrong thing.
A. flew by the seat of his pants B. flushed out of some place
C. flew into the face of danger D. flew off the handle
127. Even if you are rich, you should save some money for a day.
A. windy B. rainy C. foggy D. snowy
128. Why don’t you sit down and ?
A. make yourself at peace B. make it your own home
C. make yourself at home D. make yourself at rest
129. Do I have to my age?
A. do B. follow C. act D. see
130. I and realized that I would have made exactly the same choice.
A. place myself in Tom’s shoes B. put Tom in his place
C. put myself in Tom’s shoes D. put Tom in place
131. We still meet up for a drink and a chat once .
A. in a black mood B. at a time C. in a blue moon D. in a while
132. I called Jenna yesterday with a view her about the project.
A. of asking B. to asking C. in asking D. for asking
133. We have our of course, but we are still quite satisfied with our life.
A. odds and ends B. ups and downs
C. safe and sound D. hair on his head
134. Peter was born and brought up in Hastings and knows it like the .
A. nose on his face B. tip of his tongue
C. back of his hand D. hair on his head
135. It rained yesterday, so we could not go sailing.
A. cats and dogs B. chalk and cheese
C. fast and furious D. ups and downs
136. I’m sorry! I didn’t break that vase on .
A. time B. purpose C. intention D. my mind
137. I’ve never really enjoyed going to the ballet or the opera; they’re not really my .
A. piece of cake B. sweets and candy
C. biscuit D. cup of tea
138. After running up the stairs, I was breath.
A. away from B. without C. no D. out of
139. wait for no man.
A. Tide and fire B. Time and tide
C. Time and fire D. Tide and time
140. I know his name, but I can’t recall it at the moment. It’s on the tip of .
A. tongue B. brain C. mind D. memory
141. The worried man walked in the corridor waiting for the announce - ment.
A. back and fro B. to and forth
C. to and fro D. to and back
142. Chris’s father could not afford to send him to school because he was .
A. in high spirit B. at loss C. on approval D. in debt
143. I am trying to the sundial in the back garden.
A. make allowance for B. make up
C. put up D. make room for
144. Don’t try to bite off more than you can I am afraid you are not so talented.
A. take B. swallow C. hold D. chew
145. Sorry, I can’t talk now. I am .
A. in the nick of time B. on approval
C. out of reach D. in a hurry
KEY – IDIOMS