Exercise 4. Paraphrase the sentences using the corresponding idiom:

1. I feel that something wrong is happening there. This stolen child then, was no other than Paul.

2. Why are you keeping silence? You can’t talk, can you?

3. I enjoyed being a bachelor. But if marriage works out and mine has, then living alone is uninteresting and meaningless. (DAS, “New York Post”)

4. My uncle is a top manager in a large company. After his hard work he likes to play around on sports equipment at “Master Gym” and he always takes me there.

5. But of course, if Mary was really in love with him, that made it different … and quite a different matter.

6. I’ve informed beforehand already, Mr. Collins, and I might as well tell you the whole truth now.

7. This old museum in our town has really become rundown. It is said to be 150 years next month.

8. It seemed to David that there something strange and suspicious was going on. He decided to make the situation clear.

9. At last Robert decided to take decisive action and correct this difficult financial situation in his family.

10. Each of them carried a notebook, and when the great man spoke, he desperately scribbled. From a reliable source. It was a rare privilege. (A. Huxley, “Brave New World”)

11. During the intermission I found out that this strange and suspicious man is my former group-mate’s husband.

12. Unfortunately this country is slowly dying: dirty politics, dirty business, corruption among officials.

13. Frank always likes dealing with car engines. Next year he’ll enter the Automobile-Constructing Institute.

14. What am I to do? My evening dress has been spoiled! – Chins up! There are so many shops in the vicinity of your house. We’ll buy a new one, much finer.

15. Do you mean the fellow with that girl is her brother? I thought he is her boy friend. Well, that’s quite a different matter.

Exercise 5. Fill in the blanks with one of the idioms:

1. “Come on”, said Miss Jones, “Tell me a few words. ______________________?

What have you decided to do?”

2. I _________________, a big filthy rat … I tell you there is evil in the air.

3. It seems to me that these products are not fresh. There is something ___________

about them.

4. Despite all obstacles in his way he decided to ______________________ and overcome the difficulties.

5. Now, when you’ve explained me everything, it changes the situation completely … it’s __________________.

6. Alan was surprised, Jack also … The mystery of this family was public. __________________________.

7. This television program is __________________. People come up against its broadcasting on TV.

8. What does the expression “_________________________” mean? Do you know it?

- As far as I remember, it means “a source of information regarded as original or unimpeachable.”

9. There was a certain amount of ________________ in the dressing room after the soccer

game was over.

10. We haven’t seen him for ages and couldn’t recognize him at once. Over the past few years he has gone to ______________.

11. The Archbishop: "May I ask how the question has arisen?" Barnabas: "Ah! You begin to _______________________, do you? You thought yourself pretty safe." (B. Shaw, ‘Back to Methuselah’, part III)

12. This report is _____________________ as the data in it are not recent.

13. Why are you still _____________________ with this electric device? – It’s very important for me. I don’t want to miss out on a chance of getting improved it. Then, the device will help us in our future experience.

14. How come she _____________________________? We’ve been preparing such a pleasant surprise for Barry.

15. The security guard set eyes on a ___________ man who carried a too large suitcase and uneasily looked around.

Exercise 6. Link each of the pictures with one of the idioms given below (the two of them are extra). Comment on the meaning of each of them. Use them in situations of your own:

Smell a rat. Horse of a different color Horse around

Go to the dogs Fishy Take the bull by the horns

Exercise 7. Translate the following sentences using the idioms from Section 1:

1. Сочинение, которое вы написали, просто курам на смех. В нем слишком много грамматических ошибок.

2. Их старый дом совсем обветшал. – Еще бы! Ему уже более 100 лет.

3. Наша соседка такая болтушка, никак не может держать язык за зубами. Вчера она проболталась о семейной тайне своего сына.

4. После многочасовой работы за компьютером у меня всегда появляется мысль пойти размяться в спортзал.

5. Это широко разрекламированное средство для чистки ковров оказалось сущей ерундой. Нечто странное и подозрительное!

6. Я подозреваю здесь что-то недоброе. Я был уверен, что нахожусь в полной безопасности.

7. Мы получили эту информацию из надежного источника. И заверяем вас, мы можем на нее положиться.

8. Наш последний разговор меняет все дело. Это совсем другой коленкор.

9. Мой старший брат – человек решительный и энергичный. Вот и на этот раз он решил взять быка за рога и наладить отношения между друзьями.

10. Они будто проглотили свои языки при виде этого изумительного и загадочного озера в глубине пещеры.

11. Собака подошла к двери хозяйской комнаты и, почуяв что-то неладное, стала громко выть.

12. Мы к вам по очень важному делу. Позвольте без лишних слов, чтобы, как говорится, взять быка за рога.

13. Иногда во сне люди могут выболтать свои секреты.

14. Я вне себя. Как так случилось, что все наши приготовления к этой важной встрече пошли коту под хвост? Почему ты молчишь? Ты что, язык проглотил?

15. Ты уверена, что Род Стюарт стал отцом в восьмой раз? – Да. Эта информация из первых рук. Мы с его женой – подружки.