Additional Language Exercises
Study the idioms listed below and then fill in the gaps in the sentences with the right ones.
babes in the wood, hold at bay, concrete jungle, on one’s doorstep, burn one’s boats, in the offing, come rain or shine, break the ice, ships that pass in the night, come home to roost, put down roots, in fool flood, the back of beyond, have green fingers, in one’s element, a drop in the ocean, in the same boat, blow hot and cold, on thin ice, cut no ice
1. When she began to talk, all her troubles came out _________. 2. You can’t blame them for their mistakes: they are just _________ in business matters. 3. After living in London, this little town seems like the _________. 4. When Tom was younger, the pressures of town didn’t bother him, he was able to _____ this problem ______. 5. He has always _________, so it is not surprising that they have a beautiful garden. 6. She went for horses and now that they started about races she was _________. 7. It may not be as exotic as Namibia, but staying at home and helping conserve what's ____ own _____ can be equally exciting. 8. If your father lends us some money it will be very helpful, but it will really only be _________, when we have to pay all our debts. 9. When I told her about all the work I have on hand she said she was _________. 10. I changed my mind about giving up my job, but unfortunately I had _________ by telling my boss that I was leaving. 11. These problems do not disappear just because graduation is _________. 12. _________, you’ll always find him at the football pitch at this time. 13. My girl-friend _________ about going to the cinema – one minute she was keen to go, the next she wanted us to stay at home. 14. I was nervous when I was introduced to Sally, but she _________ by offering me a drink and soon we were dancing together. 15. The football team had lost most of the games, and at the end of the year it was _________. 16. His clever talk _________ with me, it left me unimpressed. 17. I knew her slightly, but never got to know her well – we were just two _________. 18. We welcomed the opportunity to break free from the _________ and spend a day out of town. 19. His unkindness to his daughter _________ when she refused to look after him when he was old. 20. I have high hopes that he will be successful in the job and will _________ firm ______ in the company.
Each of the idioms below contains a name of a biological species. Match parts of the idioms to restore their original form and meaning. Later explain what they suggest.
|
plenty more |
garden |
|
as the crow |
horses |
|
(like) a bear |
a goose |
|
a white |
nest |
|
wouldn’t hurt |
fish in the sea |
|
have a frog |
herring |
|
work like |
out of the bag |
|
a red |
a lamb |
|
a bee |
on the wheel |
|
packed like |
elephant |
|
like |
a fly |
|
(as) stubborn as |
duck |
|
won’t say “boo” to |
a camel |
|
a hornet’s |
flies |
|
break a butterfly |
a bird |
|
hold your |
in one’s throat |
|
swallow |
a beaver |
|
(as) meek as |
a mule |
|
let the cat |
in one’s bonnet |
|
a lame |
sardines |
|
not enough room to swing |
owl |
|
(as) happy as |
in the middle |
|
chicken |
fashion |
|
stick like |
sheep |
|
cloud |
oyster |
|
a leopard |
possum |
|
a sacred |
a cat |
|
the lion’s |
a peacock |
|
crocodile |
cuckoo land |
|
(as) quiet as |
a pig of oneself |
|
a night |
tiger |
|
(as) proud as |
never changes its spots |
|
the world is someone’s |
feed |
|
make |
a leech |
|
smell |
a rat |
|
black |
share |
|
a paper |
tears |
|
a pig |
a mouse |
|
parrot |
cow |
|
play |
a lark |
