Idioms/fixed phrases 1

go back on one's word: not fulfil a promise (opp. keep one's word)

have words with sb: have an argument

make one's day: make sb very happy

in deep water: in trouble/difficulty

an old wives' tale: false belief (usu about health) j

have/keep one's wits

about one: be alert and able to deal with difficulties

the year dot: a long time ago be born yesterday: be easily deceived/naive

not have it both ways: refuse to make a decision between two pleasant things (usu in expression "You can't have it both ways I")

16 Fill in the correct idiom/fixed phrase.

1 She ....................................................... when she saw the fire in the kitchen; instead of panicking, she went out and phoned the fire brigade.

2 She is forever making promises and then ……………………………………………............

3 Unless you can explain where you got the money, I'm afraid you'll find yourself ....................................

4 You can't ........................................................- either take the well-paid job or keep the job you enjoy doing.

5 I don't believe you're a millionaire. I ......................................................................... you know.

6 I think the idea that you can cure colds by eating onions is just................................................. .

7 My mother......................................................the cleaner today as she is always breaking the crockery.

8 She................................................................when she accepted his proposal; it was the happiest day of his life.

9 It looks as if this house hasn't been decorated since………………………………..It will have to be done up completely before we move in.

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Idioms/fixed phrases 2 (colour idioms)

the black sheep of the family: a disgraced family member

red herring: sth which distracts you from sth important

green belt: the area on the outskirts of the town adjoining the country

the pot calling the kettle black: accusing sb of a fault one has oneself

in the red: owe money to a bank (opp: in the black)

see red: suddenly become angry

see/look at sth through

rose-coloured spectacles: see sth from an unrealistically positive point of view

have a yellow streak: be a coward

pitch black: very dark

have green fingers: be good at gardening

until one is blue in the face: as hard/long as one possibly can (usu without success)

black tie: formal clothing be green with envy: be very jealous

green (matter/issue): concerned with ecology

1 Fill in the correct idiom/fixed phrases.

1 She was ..........................................................when she saw Jim's new sportscar.

2 When he opened his bank statement, he saw he was ................................ to the tune of Ј5,000.

3 The plot of the novel contained so many ....................................................... that I couldn't guess

how the story would end.

4 Being ..................................................................................... he was cut out of his uncle's will.

5 It was ............................................ as I walked home under a moonless sky.

6 You can ask ..................................................................... but I still won't let you borrow the car.

7 Ecologists want to protect the .................................................. of the town from being developed,

8 Ruth wanted to help protect the environment so she insisted on buying ............................. household cleaning products.

9 Brian wore his dinner jacket to the reception as it was a ............................................... occasion.

10 It was a case of ................................................................................ when Jack said I was lazy.

11 The boys accused him of having ................................................................. because he wouldn't

enter the derelict house.

12 Tom must have ................................................................................ as his tomatoes always win

first prize in the agricultural show.

13 Stephane .........................................................when her manager falsely accused her of being unpunctual.

14 Optimists have a tendency to .............................rather than being realistic.

PREPOSITIONS

18 Look at Appendix 5 and fill in the blanks with the correct preposition.

1 I'm very wary ........................... riding that horse; it's been known to shy at traffic.

2 The schoolboy winced ........................... the sight of the cane in the headmaster's hand.

3 She yearns ..................... a relaxing holiday in the sun.

4 You won't solve your problems by wallowing .......................... self-pity.

5 The student wrestled ............................. the difficult mathematics problem.

6 Wind and rain have whittled away ......................the old stone wall for the past three centuries.

7 Ray winked ............................ us to show that he wasn't being serious.

8 After six months in the countryside, Alan has a yen ............................ the bright lights of the city.

9 The woman yelled ............................. the boys when they ran through her garden.

10 She tried not to yield ........................... temptation and have another piece of cake.