Phrasal verbs, idioms and other expressions using 'pick'

In the following sentence pairs, complete sentence (b) so that it has the same or a very similar meaning to sentence (a). In each case, you will need to use a phrasal verb, idiom or other expression using pick. Use between two and four words in each sentence.

1.(a) They spent ages talking in detail about his faults.

(b)They spent ages _______________ his faults.

2.(a) Sales have been slow, but we hope they will improve in the summer.

(b)Sales have been slow, but we hope they will _______________ in the summer.

3.(a) I don't speak German, but I managed to learn a few phrases without intending to when I was in Munich.

(b)I don't speak German, but I managed to _______________ a few phrases when I was in Munich.

4.(a) We looked carefully at all the contents of his room looking for evidence.

(b)We _______________ the contents of his room looking for evidence.

5.(a) The manager always treats me unfairly or criticises me.

(b)The manager always _______________ me.

6.(a) I wasn't very hungry, so only ate only small amounts of the meal.

(b)I wasn't very hungry, so only _______________ the meal.

7.(a) Have you chosen a dress from your collection to wear to the party?

(b)Have you _______________ a dress to wear to the party?

8.(a) I couldn't see her in the huge crowd.

(b)I couldn't _______________ in the huge crowd.

9.(a) We'll send a car to collect you from the hotel.

(b)We'll send a car to _______________ the hotel.

10.(a) The car suddenly started going faster.

(b)The car suddenly _______________.

11.(a) We've had a very difficult year, but we're slowly returning to a normal life.

(b)We've had a very difficult year, but we're slowly _______________.

12.(a) Our company makes a lot of mobile phones. Chose one from our extensive range.

(b)Our company makes a lot of mobile phones. _______________ from our extensive range.

13.(a) My teacher is always making my work seem bad by finding all the things that are wrong with it.

(b)My teacher is always _______________ my work.

14.(a) You've disagreed with me on everything I've said. Are you trying to start an argument?

(b)You've disagreed with me on everything I've said. Are you trying to _______________?

15.(a) I need some help buying a new computer and was wondering if I could ask you some questions so that you can give me the right advice.

(b)I need some help buying a new computer and wondering if I could _______________.

16.(a) When you invest money, make sure that you choose a company that will perform well.

(b)When you invest money, make sure that you _______________.

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Phrasal verbs, idioms and other expressions using 'put'

Use the words in the box to complete the phrasal verbs, idioms and other expressions using put in this story. You will need to use some of them more than once.

The company I had been working for was taken over by a new manager, and we didn't get on very well. Every suggestion that I put ________ he rejected, he put me ________ a lot of pressure to work longer hours, and he continually put me ________ in front of the other employees. The final straw came when he told me to put ________ an exhibition for a trade fair: I put ________ weeks of work, but he told me that he thought the final result was "rubbish". He even put the word

________ that I was lazy and unreliable. I made a great effort to put ________ our differences, but eventually decided the best thing would be to put ________ ________ a transfer to another department. When this was refused, I decided I couldn't put ________ ________ it any more, and resigned.

Fortunately I had managed to put ________ a bit of money (including some that I had put

________ a high-interest deposit account), and so I decided to take a well-deserved holiday. There were several interesting holiday offers in the newspapers, but I decided to put ________ choosing one until I found exactly what I wanted. It was a friend who put me ________ a travel agency that specialised in walking holidays in interesting parts of the world. I checked their website, found a holiday that I wanted and put ________ a £200 deposit, followed by the balance three weeks later. When the tickets didn't arrive, I tried calling their telephone helpline, but was continually put

________ ________ a recorded announcement. After several attempts to phone them, I put pen

________ paper and wrote them a letter (I'm always much better at putting myself ________ in writing than I am at speaking). I was naturally put ________ when I didn't get a reply, so I visited the agency in their London offices. The manager saw me personally and I put my situation

________ him, explaining that I either wanted my tickets or my money back. He tried to put me

________ by saying that there was no record of my booking, but I put him ________ by showing him the transaction record on my credit card account. I then put my foot ________ and insisted he return my money. To my shock he called me a liar and told a security guard to remove me from the building. That was when I lost my temper. I went to my car, started the engine, put the car

________ gear, put my foot ________, and smashed the car through the agency's window.

And that, your honour, ladies and gentlemen of the jury, is my story. I hope you will take into account my feelings and emotions at the time. I just want to put it all ________ me. Please don't put me ________!

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Exercise 2: Choose the correct word in bold to complete the responses in these dialogues. In one of them, all three options are possible.

1."I'm feeling a bit miserable at the moment." "Jeer / Cheer / Sneer up!"

2."Can we have your decision?"

"Um, let me dream / think / sleep on it."

3."I, er, um, well, you know, I, er, the thing is, you see, well…" "Come on, spit / cough / blow it out!"

4."I, er……………………………."

"What's the matter? Has the cat got your tongue / lips / teeth?"

5."Come on darling, give me a great big kiss and then have a dance with me!" "Go and take a running leap / jump / fall!"

6."I'm taking my IELTS exam tomorrow."

"Good luck. I'll be keeping my toes / fingers / legs crossed for you."

7."Can I borrow your mobile to make a quick call?" "Sure. Be my host / friend / guest."

8."It's my birthday today."

"Is it? Oh, well, many happy reruns / returns / repeats."

9."Could I use your car tonight?"

"I'd prefer / wish / rather you didn't"

10."I promise not to be late from now on."

"Yeah right, that'll be the day / week / month!"

11."My girlfriend left me last week."

"Oh dear, so you're on the fence / wall / shelf again."

12."Do you know Patrick Hartley?"

"No, the name doesn't ring any phones / bells / changes"

13."I'm the boss here, and you will do what I say!" "Stop throwing your weight / body / head around!"

14."I'm afraid I've run out of coffee. I can only offer you tea." "That's all right. Any harbour / dock / port in a storm.

15."I'm sorry, but I forgot to do my homework again."

"Again? It's time you pulled your trousers / socks / pants up, young man."

16."I'm under too much pressure at college."

"Well, if you can't stand the heat, get out of the fire / oven / kitchen."

17."I failed my driving test again." "Oh, hard / bad / tough luck!"

18."What's the name of that restaurant we went to last week?"

"It's on the tip of my tongue / finger / nose. I'll remember it in a minute."

19."Have you ever been to hospital?" "No, touch cloth / paper / wood."

20."Excuse me, could you take our picture?"

"Sure, give me your camera. OK, say chips / cheese / cheers everyone!"

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