III. Complete the following sentences using the idioms studied

1.We all knew that they did not like each other, therefore their sudden decision to go to the rest-home together came…

2. She was in a predicament when they met her, but they… at first sight and tried to help her.

3. She… not coming on time, and then, when I said … to bring her the book- the fat was in the fire.

4. It would be cheaper …

5. … he is seriously ill but the doctor says that a complete rest and good care will soon put him right.

6. I was happy to … her …

7. My friend suggested that we should help one another by staying after the lectures and working together. Unfortunately it …

8. When Mother returned home, everything was torpsy- turvy. “…”,- she said.

9. A good book that! Could you … me … and let me keep it for another two days?

10. I still haven’t accepted that offer. And … there hasn’t been any.

IV. Use the following words idiomatically

Favour, all, fact, mind, fancy, blue, up, fuss, long, put.

Model: mind

Her name slipped out of my mind.

V. Under what circumstances would you say?

1. For the life of me. I could not put up with that.

2. My distant relative came to me out of the blue.

3. Her address slipped out of my mind.

4. I couldn’t help doing him a favour.

5. As a matter of fact, I have told you the truth.

6. We took a fancy to each other.

7. I’m all for going on a hike.

8. In the long run they were both good friends.

9. If I were you I shouldn’t make a fuss about this.

10. What’s up? You are pulling my leg!

VI. Respond to the following statements

1. I hit upon the idea to go on a hike in a company.

2.You are a real friend! You helped me to prepare for my exams and I passed them with excellent marks.

3.When he saw her for the first time he couldn’t say any word. She was so beautiful.

4.My friend suggested that we should go to the movies after classes. It was not a bad idea!

5.I prefer meals in the open air but my sister is an inveterate anti- picnicker. Tastes differ!

6.After her departure he hoped against hope that one day she would come back. She was the greatest loss in his life.

7. I’m so absent- minded today!

8. I’ve been waiting for you for two hours! My God! Where have you been?!

9.Hurry up, darling. You can miss your train. Don’t forget about your sweater.

10.She is such a chatter- box. If I were you I wouldn’t trust her.

VII. Illustrate one of the following proverbs using the idioms studied

1. A friend in need is a friend indeed.

2. Misfortunes never come singly.

3. Still waters run deep.

4. Saying is one thing and doing another.

VIII. Compose a situation using the idioms studied lesson 2

in high ( great, good) spirits- cheerful

1. The young woman wore a bunch of violets and seemed in high spirits. (Th. Dreiser)

2. Carry reached home in high good spirits, which she could scarcely conceal. (Th. Dreiser)

3. He seemed in high spirits looking slightly bronzed and healthier than usual.

(I. Murdoch)

to let the cat out of the bag- to disclose a secret

1. From the warmth of her embrace he probably divined that he had let the cat out of the bag, for he rode off at once on irony. (J. Galsworthy)

2.“He’s delighted with your report”, Gill fluttered, as he escorted Andrew along Whitehall.” I shouldn’t let the cat out . But there it is- it’s a lucky start for you, my dear fellow. You’ve no idea how important Bigsby is. He’s got the whole factory in his pocket!” (A. Cronin)

to sit up late ( to keep late hours)- not to go to bed at the usual hours

1. Alf and Morris swore they could not sleep. They wanted to sit up all night in order to get down to the wagon on time. (J. Galsworthy)

2. Bless you! Don’t sit up late. Anne’s rather in the dumps. (J.Galsworthy)

3.“I’m dead tired”. Cora said, when they were alone. “ I slept three hours today and I am tired as if I’d sat up late. I’m going to bed, Ally”. (D.Carter)

it is no use crying over spilt milk (to cry over spilt milk)- to spend time uselessly regretting unfortunate events

1.“ Well, I judge there’s no use crying over spilt milk. Command me in any way. I am your very faithful servant”. And turning around, he went out. (J. Galsworthy)

2. “Oh, dear me!” exclaimed Carrie. Then she settled back with a sigh. “ There’s no use crying over spilt milk,” she said. “ It’s too late!” (Th.Dreiser)

3. And the grass- those great places had no grass, he believed! The blossom, too, was late, this year- no blossom before they felt! Well the milk was spilled. (J. Galsworthy)

it serves you right- you have got just about what you deserve for your behaviour or actions

1.You took money that ought to have fed starving children. Serve you right! If I have been the father of one of those children, I’d have given you something worse than the sack. (B. Shaw)

2.“ Served him right”, said Drouet afterward, even in view of his keen expiation of her error. “ I haven’t any pity for a man who would be such a chump as that”. (Th. Dreiser)

3. And as to confiscation of war profits, he was entirely in favour of it, for he had none, and “ served the beggars right!”

what’s the odds?- is it of any consequence? What difference does it make?

1. I reckon Morrey’s right. Lost faith in Hannans myself. But what’s the odds? (K. Prichard)

2.“You mean the gold stealing and illicit bying?”- “ You know what I mean. And if you are not in on it, they’ll think you are. So what’s the odds?” (K. Prichard)

3. Later Alice challenged him. “ I can’t say I like him”, he answered. “ But what’s the odds?” (J. Lindsay)

to be beside oneself- to be wildly excited, mad, out of one’s sense

1.Charles stared about him, almost beside himself. He actually felt tears of rage and humiliation forcing themselves up. (J. Wain)

2. Stroeve had always been excitable, but now he was beside himself, there was no reasoning with him. (W. S. Maugham)

3. He insisted that Jennie send her to dancing – school and Gerhardt was beside himself with rage and grief. (Th. Dreiser)

somehow or other- by some means; in some way that is not mentioned or explained

1. Somehow or other, he had heard of a box- kite which had been invented by somebody, and the idea appealed to him at once. (W. S. Maugham)

2. At last, somehow or other, it (the tent) does get up, and you land the things. (Jerome K. Jerome)

3. “I’m wrong,” he said to himself. “ For the second time, I’m wrong. Somehow or other, I can’t get the hang of this thing.” (A. Christie)

9. to talk shop- to speak of business matters; to talk of the business that concerns one; to talk about one’s everyday work with someone who also does the same job.

1. As they walked up the street together they began to talk shop. (A.Cronin)

2. … two other assistants who had withdrawn to a corner to talk shop. (M. Wilson)

3. As they walked up the street together they began to talk shop. Bramwell was always ready to discuss his cases and now, with an air of gravity, he told Andrew that Emrys Hughes, Annie’s brother- in- law, was on his hands. (A. Cronin)

to lose one’s temper- to lose control of oneself in a moment of anger; to get angry or impatient

1. She frowned. “ I shall lose my temper. You’ll make me lose my temper. Why do you hide so much from me?” (J. Wain)

2. He did not propose to lose his temper, but merely to be persistent and agreeable, and by a few questions bring a mild understanding of some sort. (Th. Dreiser)

3. They looked at hundreds of houses; they climbed thousands of stairs; they inspected innumerable kitchens. Ruth was exhausted and more than once lost her temper. (W. S. Maugham)