IDIOMS Mrs Lai

1.I adore my little niece. She really _________.

a) is the apple of my eye b) is a bad egg c) is a hard nut to crack d) isn’t my cup of tea
2.That boy Jack is a bad influence on my son, Timmy. Jack really is __________.
a) the apple of my eye b) a hard nut to crack c) a bad egg d) a piece
of cake
3.This test is so easy. __________.
a) It’s a hard nut to crack b) It’s a piece of cake c) It’s the big cheese d)
It isn’t my cup of tea
4.Football isn’t __________. I find it too aggressive so I don’t enjoy it.
a) a piece of cake b) the big cheese c) my cup of tea d) a bad egg
5.Marco has all the power in the office, he makes all the decisions around here and everyone
is very polite towards him. He’s __________.the big cheese
a piece of cake a hard nut to crack the apple of my eye
6.I’d like to get to know Kerry better but she’s ________. She doesn’t really like people
getting close to her.
a) a bad egg b) a hard nut to crack c) a piece of cake d) the big cheese
7.If you feel sad because your boyfriend or girlfriend leaves you, you may be suffering from
_____________.
a) a sore heart b) a painful heart c) heartached) a pain in your heart
8. My grandma is the kindest woman I know, she’d do anything for anybody. She really has
a heart of ___________.
A.Gold B. silver C. steel D.stone
9. I never get on with Fiona. When I heard she was going to be my new boss my heart
_________.
A. sink B sunk C.sinked D.sank
10. What does the following mean? ‘When he gave up running he said it was because his
heart just wasn’t in it anymore’.
A. He felt ill B.He felt bored and not interested C.He wanted to move away
11.He wanted to do something else…….When Tony moved into his apartment in the heart of
town, which part of town did he move to?
a) The suburbs b) On the outskirts of town c) In the commuter belt d) The centre of town
12. We talked to each other all night and resolved some of our problems. It’s good to have a
proper ____________ sometimes.
A. heart-to-heart B.heart-to-head C.head-to-heart D.head-to-head
Exercise 2:
Read the definitions(1-7) below of some idioms. For each definition. Two of the
expressions (a-c) have been invented, but one is the correct idiom. Can you identify it?
1.To fail to take an opportunity because you didn't act quickly enough
a.Wake up at the end of the film b.Buy yesterday's newspaper c.Miss the boat
2.What people actually do is more important (or a better indication of their true feelings)
than what the say
a.Doing is above talking b.Actions speak louder than words c.A foot on the stairs beats
a word in the air
3.If something bad is being said about someone, or if something seems bad, there is probably
a good reason for it
a.There's no smoke without fire b.No mouth without teethc.No car without wheels
4.To avoid taking responsibility by saying that someone else is responsible.
a.Pass the chocolate b.Pass the buck c.Pass the wine
5.Something is not going to continue for much longer (ex :a person is going to lose their job
soon )
a.Their days are numbered b.Their bottle is almost empty c.Their milkshake is finished
6.An activity or situation(especially a job or career in which there is a lot of competition and
people are too busy to relax themselves
a.Rat hole b,Rat food c.Rat race
7)Don't expect or wait for something(usually something good) to happen ,because it
probably won't happen
a.Don't stand with your mouth open b.Don't hold your breath c.Don't hold your hands out
Exercise 2:N ow choose the correct answer for each of the questions below
1) What is "wet blanket"?
a.Someone who spoils other people's fun by being negative and complaining
b.Something that looks impressive but is really just an illusion
c.Something that makes your face or head look very different
2)What does it mean if you "keep someone posted"?
a.You make sure they can't come near you (or at least not often)
b.you give them up-to-date information about what is happening
c.You make sure they have enough to eat and drink
3)What does it mean if someone has "guts" (or has "the guts" to do something)
a.They are courageous b.They are angry c.They are ỉntelligent
4)What does "sell your soul" mean?
a.to sell something that is important to you but not to anyone
b.To mix your personal life with your working life
c.to do something that against your beliefs (ex .for money)
5)what does it mean if something is"like watching paint dry'?
a.It is very difficult b.It is very easy c.It is very boring
6)What does it mean if something is"set in stone"
a.It is extremely old b.it cannot be changed or altered c.It is dirty
7)When might someone say"in a nutshell"?
a.If they are about to give you a short summary of some information
b.If they are about to tell you about something someone did that they think was very bad
c.If they are about to tell you a joke
Exercise 3: Complete the sentences below with the appropriate idioms from Exercise 1
and 2 .You may need to change the verbs forms
1."I don't know how much longer I can keep working here.Sure,the money is good,but the
company does so many unethical things.I feel like I've_____________.What I'd really like to
do
is leave the_rat race__________and just go and live on a beach somewhere,but then how
would I
pay the bills?"
"Yeah,right,you've been saying that for at least 5 years.May be you like the job more than
you think.After all,_ Actions speak louder than words________"
2."I heard that my boss's________,and that he might be fired by the end of the month.Do
you
think I'll be asked to replace him?"
"Well,I wouldn't _ ________I think they'll probably recruit someone from outside to instead"
3."You were on the phone talking to her for almost a hour,so what did she say?"
"____________that her vacation was good but very expensive"
4."What was the basketball game like?"
"It was awful,I was almost falling asleep-it was like _______.And then Jimmy made it even
worse by starting to tell me all about his problems.What a______________!"
5."I really wanted to take that Spanish class,but I ______.I didn't call the college untill
yesterday,and by then it was full.What about your Spanish class?I guess it's full too?"
"Well,yeah,there are only supposed to be fifteen students,but that's not_______.There's a
chance
they might decide to let a couple more in.I'll________,ok?"
6."I've been hearing some funny things about Peter.Two different people told me he's in
some kind of trouble with the police.I'm not sure whether to believe it."
"Well,I wouldn't be suprised. _________"
7."Sarah, can't you see that none of these problems are my fault?"
"But you're in charge!"
"Yes,but Jo and Mike are running the project. That should be obvious"
"Oh, come on, stop_________! Why don't you have_____to admit that you have made
mistakes?"
Exercise4
: Câu hỏi 1: Either you accept this offer or you don't. It's all or ______ .
A sweetness B.own C.nothing D.hands all
Câu hỏi 2: We'll have to assess the candidates but, all ______ being equal, I'd prefer to have
a
young dynamic person.
A. Sweetness B. own C. nothing D. things alls
Câu hỏi 3: We had some problems at first but now all is ______ and light between us.
A.weetness B. eyes C.guns D.hands all
Câu hỏi 4: He really wants that promotion. He's going all ______ to get it.
A. Sweetness B.own C.nothing D.things all
Câu hỏi 5: The job sounds wonderful but you have to remember that all that glitters is not
______ .
A. Place B.singing C.systems D.gold out
Câu hỏi 6: John is completely lost in that job. He's all at ______ with that type of work.
A.work B.rounder C.jazz D.hours sea
Câu hỏi 7: The workers were very unhappy about the news. The union rep came to see me all
______ blazing.
Right eyes guns hours sea
Câu hỏi 8: The neighbours have complained that we make too much noise at all ______ of
the
day and night. work rounder jazz hours told place singing
systems things out place singing
Câu hỏi 7......This lovely new dress its like a……………..
A. glove B. gauntlet C. gown D. treat 2.
Investors have taken........from the improving economic situation
A. consolation B. courage C. heart D. meaning
3. We at Buyrite throw down the...... to competitors to match us for price, quality and
service
A. gauntlet B. mitten C. sword D. hat
4. The designer refuses to gild the ....., prefering clean, simple lines for his creation
A. Lily B. flower C. rose D. daisy
5. For busy people in today's society, lifestyle management is gaining ..................
A. points B. speed C. terrain D. ground
6. The art teacher gave the children a free in their creative compositions.....
A.offer B. gift C. kick D. hand
7..Debbie is the black .... of the family, having left home at 17 to live with her boyfriend
A. Pig B. Bird C. Sheep D. Dog
8.I didn't tell her to apologise. She did it of her own...
A. Accord B. Mind C. soul D. Heart
9.When you are famous, you and your family become .... property
A. Earth B. Public C. Danger D.Community
10.Many predictors think that the end of the world is at..... His behaviour was very rude. I
was really at the end of my....
A. Rope B. Heart C.Knife D. Soul
11.The money my parents left me will .... in handy when i have a finâncil problem
A. Go B. Appear C. Come D. Bring
12.I've been on.... nine since i heard i had passed the exam.We expect your son to pass the
final exam with flying.....
A. Flag B. Color C. Symbol D. Medal
13.The escaped prisoner fought ...... before he was finally overpowered
A. Black and white B. Body and soul C. Dog and cat D. Tooth and nail
14.Thanks for sending me those flowers. They really made my ....
A. Day B. Light C. Happiness D. Hope

1. Although we argued with him for a long time, he ______ his ground.
A. remained B. stood C. kept D. persisted
2. I can’t go out this morning. I’m up to _____ in reports.
A. eye B. ears C. feet D. fingers
3. My father ________ when he found out that I’d damaged his car.
A. saw pink elephants B. hit the ceiling C. brought the house down D. made my blood
boil
4. I haven’t had an accident yet but I’ve had a number of _____ shaves.
A. near B. narrow C. close D. tiny
5. While Long has turned over a new ____, his brother is still racing around in fast cars and
causing
trouble.
A. leaf B. page C. face D. book
6. You can talk till the _______ come home – you’ll never make me change my mind.
A. sheep B. cows C. dogs D. chickens
7. The escaped prisoner fought _______ before he was finally overpowered.
A. head over heels B. tooth and nail C. heart and soul D. foot and mouth
8. He is always full of ___ . He can play football all day without tiredness.
A. beans B. millet C. rice D. peaches
9. Since he started his own business, he has made money hand over _______.
A. palm B. fist C. cheek D. head
10. You should _________ before buying because it is very expensive.
A. cost an arm and a leg B. take it for granted C. pull your leg D. take it into
account
11. I ______ to answer all their questions.
A. did my level best B. worked my fingers to the bone C. pulled my weight
D. kept my chin up
12. The President is determined to _______ for peace.
A. pull his socks up B. make a meal C. go the extra mile D. raise a
finger
13. We cannot afford to carry members who are not _______.
A. doing things by halves B. making a meal of itC. knowing beans about it D. pulling their
weight
14. If you know what you really want, you should ______ to get it.
A. pull their weight B. go all out C. pull your socks up D. fight
tooth and nail
15. She _______ in order to send her children to school.
A. cut corners B. worked her fingers to the bone C. made a meal of it
D. called it a day
16. When you’re ________ trying to start a business, you should utilize every minute you
have.
A. breaking your back B. raising a fingerC. pulling your socks up D. going through thick
and thin
17. It’s obvious that she’s lying through her _____.
A. hat B. teeth C. head D. back
18. This information is too important, you can’t sweep it under the ______.
A . tracks B. carpet C. back D. hat
19. After all, he only __________ . He never does what he promised .
A. speaks with a forked tongue B. has one foot in the grave C. smells a rat D. jumps through
hoops
20. I was surprised to find he’d gone behind my _____.
A. hat B. back C. thought D. leg
21. Supermarkets buy goods at _____ prices.
A. steady B. fixed C. stuck D. hooked
22. The boy bought a toy gun that is ______ to distinguish from a real gun.
A. impractical B. unable C. impossible D. incapable
23. I'm on friendly _______ (https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/term) with
my friends at
my school.
A. relationship B. link C. term D. contact
24. Nowadays, the number of people who are out of ______ is rapidly increasing .
A. order B. work C. danger D. luck
25. Ha Long Bay is always a tourist ________ when summer comes.
A. attract B. attractive C. attraction D. attractiveness
26. The two boys look ______ , but they are not brothers.
A. similar to B. like C. alike D. same
27. The tanks were ______ for the battle-field.
A. heading B. going C. running D. travelling
28. The company allows some customers to buy goods on _______ and pay for them later.
A. cash B. cheque C. card D. credit
29. The competition attracted a large ____ of carpenters from the whole country.
A. deal B. number C. lot D. amount
30. Could you do me a(n) ______? My bike’s front tyre is flat.
A. favour B. help C. assistance D. support
31. You should _____ attention to what teacher is saying if you want to get high mark.
A. pay B. draw C. gain D. attract
32. She makes a great effort in order to graduate with ______ colours.
A. jumping B. walking C. flying D. red
33. We have stopped buying goods from that shop as most of them are _____ poor quality.
A. in B. under C. with D. on
34. My watch was _________. Could you have the time ?
A. out of order B. out of reach C. out of work D. out of the blue
35. They escaped from the smoke-filled house just in the __ _____ of time.
A. nick B. moment C. course D.fullness
36. These days, more and more teenagers __________ a crime at the early age.
A. make B. commit C. have D. do
37. She completed the 500 meters in ______ time.
A. record B. folded C. broken D. taken
38. You need _____a chance if you don’t miss it again.
A. seize B. jump C. take D. gain
39. He was given a dose of morphine to ______ his pain.
A. release B. repair C. retain D. relieve
40. You have 2 days to ______ a decision whether to go or not.
A. carry out B. make C. do D.take