English Idioms In Use Int1

English_ I

•

In

Use 60 units of vocabulary reference and practice Self-study and classroom use

Michael McCarthy Felicity O'Dell

~ CAMBRIDGE

V

U:"i lVERSITY PRESS

Contents 3 4

Acknowledgements Using this book

Learning about idioms Whac arc idioms? 11

Using yo ur dictionary

Idioms to talk about ... 1 Hca\ch 2 Happiness and sadness

3 4 S 6 7 8 9 10 1l

12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23

Anger Knowing and undersr:inding Experience an
Effort Necessity and desirability Probability and luck Socia\ status feelings Human rclarionships

Size and position

24 Money

25 26 27 28 29

•

c

Work

Speed, distarH.:c and intensity Communicarion ·1: commenting on language Commun icarion 2: getting rhe message across Life and cxperiem:e: pn.werbs 30 Memory

Idioms from the topic area of 3 1 Time 1: the pasi and the tuture 32 Time 2: clocks an
35 36 37 38

Games and sport Animals 1: describing people Animals 2: desc ribing situations We::tpons :ind war

English Idioms in Use

39 40 41 42 43 44

food Road s H o uses anJ h ousehold objcccs Nature Boats and sailing Science, technology and machi nes

Idioms using these keywords: 4S Finger, rhumb, hand 46 Foot, heel, toe 4 7 Bones, shoulder, arm, leg 48 Head 49 face, hair, neck, chesr 50 Eyes 51 Ear, lips, mouth, nose, teeth, tongue

52 Heart 53 Brain, mind, h lood and guts 54 Back 55 Long 56 Line 57 Act, action, activity 58 Good and bad 59 Ground 60 Similes and idioms wirh like

Key

130

List of phonetic symbo ls

ln
2 English Idioms in Use

171

170

Using this book Why was this book written? It was written to help you improve your knowledge of idioms in English. Idioms arc fi xed expressions whose meaning is not inuuediarcly obvious from looking a t the individual word s in the idiom. Yo u will come across a great ma ny idiom s when you listen to am;! read English. So it is important that you lea rn about the m eanings of idioms :rnd about how they arc used. You can use this book either with a reacher or for self-study.

We \vanted to encourage hmguage

learner~

tu h ave a balanceJ

app roa~h to idioms

in English.

Sometimes in the past, teachers used to argue rhat it was a waste of time for learners to study idioms as they mighr start usi ng them in an inaccu rate or unsuirn hle way. Bur idioms ;ire in such widespread u:sc tha t ic i:; inappropriate to ignore the m. This book focu ses just o n t hose

idioms which the modem student needs to know and it airns to prov\.dc the information and practice which \vi ii help you understand and use rhem correctly. ·

How were the idioms in the book selected? T here ;;ire a grci:l t man ~· i
by native speakers nf Engh~h \n conversations, newspapers, novels, and many other contexts. The i
How is the book organised? The book has 60 two-page units. The.: lefc-hand page presents the id ioms thar are worked on in rhe unit. You will usually find an cxpli:lnation uf the meaning of each id iom, an example of it in use and, w here appropriate, any special notes about its usage. The r ight, hand pagc.: checks that you have understood the information o n rhe left-hand page hy giving you ~t series o f exercises that practi.se the. malerial just µresented. The exercises pay particu lar attention to checking your understanding of the idioms a n d how they a re use
Tht! units ace organised in three sections: Idioms to talk about .. . which groups idioms a.:wr
included in Unic 25, \X1o rk.

Idioms from the topic are.i of ... which grou ps id ioms alcord i n~ tu che image t hey are based on . Thus, hit the roof [react in a very a ngry way] is incl uded in Unit 41 , Houses and ho useho ld o bjecrs Idioms using these k eywords which groups idioms according ro keywo,ds in them. Fur example, Unit 4 8 d eals with a ser of idioms hased on the word head. The book also has a key to all the cx<; rlises a n
4

English Idioms in Use

How should I use th is book? As \vell as the 110 main u nits, there are two introd uctory units: Un it i What are id io m s ? and Unit ii Using yo ur d ictionary. It is strongly recommended tha t you work th rough t hese units first. After tha t, you may v.:ork on the units in a n y order that suits you.

What else do I need in order to work with this book? You need a notehook or file in w hich you can wri te down the idioms tha t you study in this book as well as any others th
w have about idioms.

Your teache r, however, may a lso be ahle to recommend other


English Idioms in Use

5

What are idioms? Idioms and meaning Idioms are ex pressions wh ich ha ve a mea ning char is not o bvious from the individua l w o rds. for example, the idio m drive somebody round the bend means make som ebody angry or fru strated , but we ca nnot know this just by looking at the wor ds. The best way w understand an idiom is ro see it in context. If someone says: Th is rin opener 's driving me ro und the bend! I think I'll throw ir a way and get a new one nexr rime I' m in town. then the context an
B

C

Types of idioms

..

form

example

meaning

verb + object/complement (and/or adverbial)

kill two birds with one ston e

produce two useful results by just doing one action

prepositional phrase

in the blink of an e ye

in an extremely short t ime

compound

a b o ne of contention

something which people argue and disagree over

simile '..,1m1li (as + adjective + as. or like + noun)

as dry as a bone

very dry indeed

binomial (word .... and+ word)

roug h a nd ready

crude and lacking sophistication

t rinomjal (word + word + and +word)

cool, calm and collect ed

relaxed. in control, not nervous

whole clause or sentence

to cut a long story short

to tell the main points, but not all the fine details

Fixed aspects of idioms Most idioms are fi xed in their form , and cannot be changed or varied. Sometimes, however, the grammar or the vocabu lary can be va ried slightly. Where this book o r a dictionary gives information on what can be varied, a lways note it in yo ur Vocabulary notebook.

6

variation

example

Occasionally an idiom in the active voice can be used in the passive.

Government Ministers always pass the buck if they are challenged about poverty. (blame somebody else I refuse to accept responsi bility] The buck has bee n passed from Minister to Minister. No one seems prepared to accept the responsibility.

Some verb-based idioms also have noun-compound forms.

There is too much buck-passing in government nowadays. No one accepts the blame for anything.

One or more words in the idiom can be varied.

Stop acting the fool/goat! [stop acting stupidly]

English Idioms in Use

Exercises i. I

How much can you guess about the me'aning of these idioms just by looking at the context? Tick the boxes accordin~ to what you can understand about the words io bold.

1 I
means using illega I merhods if necessary means nothing will stop me means I was very determined

YES

NO

CA1''T ·n:1.t

::J

:::J

[]

t._; ''

0

0

D

0

D

Sec Unit 17.

2 The governmenr and rhe unions are at loggerheads; there may be a general strike. means have a guu
YES

NO

DON'T KNOW/ CAN'TTF.l.L

D 0 0

'.:]

c

0 0

0

0

See Unit 22.

3 We had to pay through tht: nose to get our visas in five days insread of rhc usual 30 d ays. 1)0::-l'1 K1'0WI

means suffer in some way means pay a small sum of money means pay a large ~um of money j.2

YES

CAN"T TE!.l.

0

D

D 0

lJ 0

D 0

See Unit 24.

C lassify the idioms in the sentences below according to their grammatical type: Type A verb+ o\:>jcct/cornpiement (a nd/or adve rbial ) Type B prepositional phrase Type C compound

Type D simile Type E binomial or trinomial Type f whole clause or sentence

1 Should we fly or go hy tr::iin? What arc the pros and cons?

Type: .................................. See Unit 10. 2 l'm having second thoughts about going on holi
i.3

I

Correct the mistakes in the idioms in these sentences. Use the clues in brackets. Use a good general dictionary or a dictionary of idioms if necessary.

1 ::Viy father's four was put down when l said l w anre
See Unit 46. Sec Unit 37. 3 You'll be pleased to hear we arrived sound and safe in Peru. (binomial) See Unit 16. 4 H e was lying in his teeth when he said he had gm a first-class grade in his exam; the trurh is he failed. (grammar - small word) Sec Unjt 51.

2 Her words put the cat among the birds; Jim is furious. (vocabulary)

English Idioms in Use

7

Using your dictionary A

What do you look up? As ir can be difficult ro work our whar an i
If you arc using either the

Cambrid~e

International [)ictionary o f Idioms (C fDI ) or the Cambridge Aduanced Learner's Dictionary (CALL) ), then the easiest way of fi nding what yo u need is ro look in the alphabetical index at the back of the book. This lists a ll the expressions incl udcd in the dictionar y with the word where :rn entry for the expression will be found in the dictionary highlighted in bo ld. This shows that in CID! kill two birds with one scone will be found under two a nd let the cat out of th e bag will be found under cat. In C:A LD these two idioms will be found under kill and cat. If you are using a differenr dictionary, read its introducrory notes now to see hovv it deals wi th idioms. This will avo ic.J the frustration you would otherwise feel o n deciding ro look up the: wrong element of the ic.liom first.

B

What information does your dictionary give you? Your dictionary wi ll tel l you a lot of other things as well as the meaning of the idiom. As idioms are used in such fixed ways, it i~ important ro read rhe notes in yo ur d ictiona ry carefully if you want to use idioms as well as to un
I 8

It is not possible for this book to include as much information about each idiom as you will find in a dictionary. So, look up the idioms that you particularly want to learn from this book in a dictionary as well. In your Vocabulary notebook, write any further information or other examples of the idioms in the context that you find in the dictionary.

English Idioms in Use

Exercises

ii. I

ii.2

Look up the idio ms in these sentences in your dictionary. What wo rd is each idiom listed under?

l Jc's rh e person in che street 'vvho picks up the bill for the government's mistakes. 2 She had a wonderful trip rn Aust ralia, btit now she's come back down to earth '"''ith a bump. 3 J ohn had a furious argument with his supervisor, but he managed to stand his ground. 4 H e's feeling ve ry m iserable, so there 's no need for you to stick the knife in too. 5 Yo u're banging yo ur 11 cad against a b rick wall tr~· ing to ger him to help yo u. 6 You scar ed the living daylights out of m e by creeping up beh ind me like that. Which word(s) could b e left out of the idioms in th ese sentences? I lr's always hard w hen yo u have to come back down to earth with a bump after a holiday. o one thought she could cl imb the m ountain withour oxygen, bur she succeeded against all the odds.

2

3 She hit him where it hurt most by tcllin~ him that he had always been a disappointment to

his parents. 4 The way he reacted scared the living daylig hts o ut of m e!

ii.3

Which word in each idiom could be changed for a nother word?

1 Don't worr y about a thi n!!, - r m s u re: the company \.viii pick up the bill. 2 [ came back down to earth with a bump when 1 saw the pile of posr \vairing for me after rhc weeken d. 3 The arm y ha
ii.4

What grammatical informa tion does your dictio na ry give about these idioms? R ead the informatio n and then write a sentence with each idiom.

I look a gift horse in the mouth 2 be pushing up the daisies 3 be on the bri nk of 4 tie yourself up in knots 5 he man enough

ii.5

March th e register labels in the box with th e idio m s in th e sentences below. forma\

1 2 3 4 5 6

humorous

informa\

literary

o\d-fashioned

very informal

I real ly
English Idioms in Use

9

Health A

Idioms describing health tv'wk 11rui bew fe.cli.ng IAnciu tne. ..ieolhu 1 for we.eks. One. ~ he. ea.me. i.nto work ~ Wee. d..e.o.ttl 1>o1ca.nne.c:L 1Ap2 o.nd.. so we. told.. 11l.m to 90 aw"-!:l for <.1.. fe.w ~s to red1o.r9e. 11'6 ~ 3 .

After one. ~ be.sUie tne. se.1.1.., he. no longe.r f-e.Lt off-cotw.r4 o.nd.. b!:I tne. second.. ~ he kne.w he. W<.1..$ tne. roa.d. to re.cov"1i5 . He. Se.tic IAS a. postc.o.rd.. o.nd.. we. we.re. o..LL 91Ad.. to leo-rn tnoJ:. 11e. W<.1..$ tne. me.nd..6 . B!:I tn e. e.t1d.. of tne. we.ek, 11e. re.tu.me.d.. to work o.s fit o.s a.. ·fUi.d.Lel . And.. he's bew 4 o.s 1i9ht o.s ra.i.n9 eve.r si.nu.. .,,._~ ..,,- ~I ,

°"

°"

~__......._._______

1

2

3

~

--~~

~...

not ver y \.veil looking extremely ill do something co gain fresh energy and enth usiasm fclr unwell

5

getting better

7

perfectly well perfectly well

8

·~

"d

,

(f}

B

:

:g

as fit as a fiddle

Informal idioms for mad

TJlere are many informal idioms which are used to say that someone is mad:

He's not all there.

She's a basket case.

screw

m

She's off her trolley. He's not right in the head.

He's off his rocker. ~~ She's one sandwich short of a picnic.

She's got a screw loose.

He's as nutty as a fruitcake.

rocker ·f,

c

~

~

trolley

Informal idioms for die There are also a lot of very informal idioms meaning die, fo r example: She's popped her clogs. He's bitten the dust.

D

She's kicked the bucket.

Idioms based on medical images idiom

I0

She's given up the ghost. He's fallen off his perch.

meaning

example

a sore point/spot

a subject which someone would prefer not to tal k about because it makes them angry or embarrassed

Try not to mention baldnE!ss while he's here - it's a sore spot for him.

give someone a taste/dose of their own medicine

do the same bad thing to someone that they have done to you in order to show them how unpleasant it is

Refusing to lend him money now would give him a taste of his own medicine he's never lent you any.

a bitter pill to swallow

unpleasant, but has to be accepted

Losing my job was initially a bitter pill to swallow.

sugar the pill

do something to make something unpleasant more acceptable

The boss has sugared the overtime pill by offering a large extra payment.

have itchy feet

want to travel o r move on

I can't stay in one place for more than a year without getting itchy feet.

English Idioms in Use

Exercises I.I

Put these expressions into four groups of idioms that share the same meaning. (There are two groups of two idioms and two groups of four.) Explain the meaning in each case. give up the ghost be on the road to recovery bite the dust be on the mend be not all there feel under the weather be as nutty as a fruitcake feel off-colour pop your clogs be off your trolley fall off your perch be a basket case

1.2

Complete each of these idioms.

1 Don't mention the merger to him - it's a bit of a ................................................... spot for him. 2 Telling Joe what you feel ma y be a ..................... ........................... pill for h im to swallow, but )' OU owe it to him nevertheless. 3 Watching travel programmes on T V a lways gives me .................................................. feet. 4 l wonder what's happened to Stan - he looks like death .................................................. up! · S Plans to put increased funds into education arc supposed to sugar the ................................................... of increased taxation. 6 Imagin e someone as unfit as Ruth going on holiday in the Himalayas. She must have a ................................................... loose. 7 A good game of golf at the \>vcckend always helps to ................................................... my father's batteries. 8 To m was quire ill fo r a while last year, bur he's as fit as a ................................................... now. 9 I was exhausted when I got home from work, bur, after a nice cup of tea, I'm as ................................................... as rain. 10 Helen won't understand the problem - she's one ................................................... short o f a picnic.

1.3

Which of the idioms meaning die do these pictures make you think of?

2

1

I .4

Match each statement on the left with the most likely response on the right.

1 I've got itchy feet. 2 H e's as right as rain now. 3 4 5 6

He's nor right in the head. I'm going to tell him what l chink of him. Dad's a bit off-colour today. Fai ling the exam was a bitter pill to swallow.

I

Oh dear, I hope he's OK tomorrow. Yes, bur she'll soon get over it. Where would you like to go? That is a relief! Good. Give him a dose of his own medicine. I know, Jane told me he was off his rocker.

Why do you think there are so many idiomatic expressions meaning mad and die? Is it the same in your language? Do you think it would ever be appropriate fo r you to use any of these English idioms for mad or die? If so, in what circumstances? If not, why not?

English Idioms in Use

II

Happiness and sadness A

Extreme happiness There arc many inform;il idioms which m ea n extremely happy.

( I'm thrilled ro bits.7

( I am/feel on top of the world."J

B

C

\ " I'rn in seventh heaven. )

Other happiness idioms idiom

meaning

example

get a (real) kick out of so m ethi ng

very much enjoy doing something (informal)

I get a (real) kick o ut of go ing for a run fi rst thing in the morning before anyone else is up.

do something for kicks

do so mething because it is exciting, usually something dangerous (informal)

Sandra is keen to have a go at bungeejumping - just for kicks.

jump for joy

be very happy and excited about someching that has happened

Rowena jumped for joy when she heard that she'd won first prize.

be floating/ walking on a ir

be very happy about something good that has happened

I've been walking on air ever since Chris and I started going o ut together.

somethi ng makes yo ur day

something makes you feel very happy

It's great to hear from you. It's really made my day.

Sadness Deo..r Lw.~5e, Hope.. oJ.L goes well wi.ttl !¥JlA. lAnforl:un~, e.ve.r!Jone. 11e.re. ~s wt of sort;s 1 . WUL ~s
J

..-.------

----

.-----

~~--__... ...,---~-~

1

slightly u nh app y or slightly ill

5 someone who complains all the ti111e a nd is

2

unhappy (in formal ) wh ar has happened won't cause an y serious

f>

bei ng jealo us about something you can' t ha,·e

7

stop an occasion from being e njoyable (sometimes dam/Hmer is used instead o f

3

pronlems 4

accept a siruation you don 'r like because you can "t change it

\ 2 English Idioms in Use

neve r h appy (very informa l)

dam/m· )

Exercises 2.1

Combine the words in t he box in order ro make five expressions meaning extremely happy. Use each wo rd once only. bits the

2.2

cloud thrilled

heaven in to top

moon world

nine

of

on

on

over

seventh

the

Which idioms do these pictures m ake you think of?

5

6

2.3

Correct the mistakes in these idioms. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

2.4

The child was thrilled for bits to have her phoro in the paper. [ felr as if I was floating in ,~i r as I ran d own rhe hill into his arms. Why does .Ylarci look so o ut o f sort today? D on't make such a fuss. It 's not the finish of the wo rld! Your telep hone ca ll has really d one my day! Jill said she was on cloud seven and Jac k agreed that he was in ninth heaven. W h y docs .\![ark a lways have co be such a miserable guts? St ereotypically, happy foo t ballers say tha t they are over the sun.

Answer these questio ns . I Wou ld a piece of good news o r a piece ot had news be more likely to make your day~ 2 If you gor top marks in an exam, woulrd damper? 9 D o you notic<: an ything tha t a number of the ima~cs in the happiness idioms have in common?

English Idioms in Use

I3

Anger A

Being angry These informal idioms can be used either abour yo urself or about a third person. I' m fed up (to the back teeth) with t rying t o live o n such

a small wage. I'm at m y wits' end trying to keep things in order. (w its = intelligence, brains) I've had it up to here with th is organisation ! These informal idioms are generally used a bout other people. Your boss will have/throw a fit when he finds o ut you forgot to reply to those letters. (You can also say go off the deep end I go spare I do his nut I blow a fuse. ) These less informal idioms describe other people's anger and are based on the word blood. If someone's blood is up, they are very ang ry o r excited and may react in a vio lent way.

If you are after someone's blood, you want to catch them in o rder t0 hurt or p un ish them. If you are o ut for blood, yo u arc determined to find someone to attack o r blame for something bad cha t has happened .

B

14

·

Angry relationships idiom

meaning

example

drive someone up the w.all

make someone ve ry angry (or sometimes very bored)

The neighbours' loud music every night is driving me up the wall.

drive/send someone round the b end/twist

make someone very angry (or sometimes very bored)

His lack of consideration is driving me round the twist.

rub someone up the wrong wa y

make someone annoyed

Jill always manages to say something to rub her father up t he wrong way.

get/put someone's back up

make someone annoyed

Roger put his sister's back up by saying she would never be a good driver.

ruffle someone's feathers

make someone annoyed

Jo says what she thinks without worrying about whether she might be ruffling anyone's feathers.

put/send the cat among the pigeons

do o r say something that makes a lot of people angry o r worried

Danny put the cat among the pigeo ns by suggesting that t he company might have to make some redundancies.

not be on speaking terms

be so angry with each other that they refuse to speak to each other

They haven't been on speaking terms for years although neither can remember what they first quarrelled about.

give someone an earful

tell someone how angry you are with them (informal)

The o ld lady gave the children an earful for nearly knocking her over,

give someone a piece of your mind

tell someone how angry you are with them

He'll give the boys a piece of his mind if he catches them in his garden.

English Idioms in Use

Exercises 3. \

Put the expressions in the b ox into pairs that mean more or \ess the same. went off the deep end gave him an earful drove him up the wall gave him a piece of her mind put his back up did his nut rubbed him up the wrong way sent him round the bend

3.2

Complete each of these idioms. 1 Kevin has had it up to .................. ............................... wirh his work. 2 It's horrible living with two people w ho arc not o n speaking .............. .................................. . 3 It'll really put the .... .... .................................... .. among the pigeons if you try to bring that up at the meeting. 4 My sister .............. ............... .................... spare whe n she found our I'd burnt her new top. S Jez is ................................................... your b lood now he knows it \.Vas you who rold the police. 6 The demonstrators arc furious and ................ .. ............................ for blood. 7 Your fathe r will throw a ............................. .................... if you go our dressed like that. 8 The baby hardly sleeps at night and he r mother is at her ...... ........................................... end.

3.3

Correct eight mistakes in this paragraph. Yesterday I had terrible toothache. lr h urt a lot and I guess that's why I was in a bad temper all

day. Everyt hing anyone said seemed to put the back up and, in the end, I threw a fuse with the person I share m y office with. Even when I'm in a good mood, she sends me up the twist \.Vith her constant chatter a nd yesterday I had had it off to here wi~h her after only ten minutes. I rea lly gave her an eyeful and the result is that we are no longer in speaking terms. I know I 'll have to apologise fo r doing my nuts like thar, but perhaps I'll wait a while. It's much easier to work when she isn't miking ro me! Perhaps I should g ive he r a peace of my mind more often.

3.4

Answer these questions.

Name one thing that drives you up the wall. Find t wo idioms on the left-hand page that conjure up images of birds. Can you remember a teacher ever going off the deep end? If so, what caused it? Find seven idioms on the leftJhand page chat are based on parts of che body. Has anyone recently rubbed you up the wrong way? If so, how did they do rhis ? 6 Which idiom in A on the leftJhand page d o you think is usually acco mpa nied by a gesture? 7 H ave you ever given someone a piece of your mind? If so, what about? 8 Find an idiom on the left-hand page connected with electricity.

l 2 3 4 5

Knowing and understanding Knowing and not knowing

B

knowing

meaning

She knows the system inside out.

She knows every detail of it.

W hen it comes to geography. he certainly knows his stuff.

He has a very good knowledge of it.

That book title has a familiar ring to it. I think I read it a long time ago.

It sounds familiar I I think I've heard it before.

I'm not sure if I know her, but the name rings a bell. (very commonly used with nome)

I have a vague memory of someone with t hat name, but can't remember exactly.

not knowing

meaning

I haven't (got) I don't have a clue how to use this camera.

I don't know at all.

I haven't (got) I don't have the faintest idea where she lives.

I really don't know at all.

I haven't (got) I don't have the foggiest (idea) what this switch is for.

I absolutely don't know at all.

I can't for the life of me remember her first name.

I can't remember at all.

I'm a bit out of touch with computers these days.

I used to know about them, but don't know the latest developments.

I'm sorry, that name doesn't ring any bells with me. (very commonly used with nome)

I don't think I've ever heard it before; it is unfamiliar.

Coming to conclusions I didn't actually know where you were staying, but Mark said you were with a relative. So I put two and two together and guessed it was that aunt of yo urs in Manchester. !concl uded from the facts I knew] I'm sorry, I got (hold of) the wrong end of the stick. I tho ught you were complaining about something. lcame to the wrong conclusionl

'I think he's got hold of the wrung end of the stick.'

I6

English Idioms in Use

Exercises 4. I

Correct the mistakes in these idioms. 1 l don 't have even a foint idea where he is today; you'll have to ask somebody else. 2 The title of the CD has familiar rings to it, bur I don'r think I've ever heard it. 3 My cousin knows the tax laws o utside and in, so if you want advice on your tax, he'll help you. 4 I can't for life think wh;:tr it was l c;imc inro the kitchen for. 5 I saw Tom and Lily together in a restaurant looking adoringly inro each other's eyes. I added up two and two, and decided they m ust be madly in love.

4.2

Use the corrected idioms from exercise 4.1 to rewrite the underlined parts of this para~aph. Use each idiom once only. [ always rhought I knew my computer in every detail, but the other day it started co crash every time I opened a certain program. \could not in anv way understand why it was doing this, and I didn't have an" idea at all about what to do to fix it. I rang the helpline which l had used in the pasr, :J.nd after about 20 mim1tes I spoke to sumeone who said his name \-vas Patrick, and that he was there ro help me. He gave me some ;idvicc which sounded quite famih·ar tu me frorn previous caHs l h ad rwade t o t he sa1l\e helphne. l thought about ali this, put the faqs together, and concluded that they give the same advice to everybody, and that it's just a way of getting rid of you . The computer still crashes every time I open the program.

4.3

Write sentences chat mean the opposite of these sentences. Use idioms from the left-hand page and make any other necessary changes. 1 Yes, that name is very famil iar to me. I think I've met he r severa l rimes. 2 T'm really up to dare with TV soap operas these
4.4

Complete each !;entencc with a different idioOl which refers to 'not knowing'. l ...................................................... .............................. ....... how to use the photocopier. Do you think you could help me? (we
If you have access to the Internet, go to the Cambridge International Dictionary of Idioms website at dictionary.cambridge.org/idioms. and do a search under the word know.You w ilt get. a. list of all the idioms containing the word know. Choose any three of these that you have not seen before or which look interesting, dick on each one to get their meanings and make a note of them in your Vocabulary_ . notebook.

.,:-.

··.·

.·. .·.·

~-. :·

... ,._ · .. .. ·.

English Idioms in Use

I7

Experience and perception A

Learning from experiences

If ...

you con soy ...

something bad has happened, but you decide to learn from it instead of being upset by it,

I've decided to put it down to experience.

you don't know what your position is or what your situation is with someone, and it's worrying you,

I just want to know where I stand, that's all.

something happens or someone says something that makes you think very seriously about it,

the events I your suggestions have certainly given me food for thought.

something bad happens to you and you decide you will never let it happen again,

I've learnt my lesson.

someone does something stupid which affects them in a way t hat they'll never want to do it again,

that will teach him/her a lesson!

someone finally becomes aware of a fact (often used with unpleasant facts),

I think he/she's got the message.

you tell the true facts to someone who has believed a different set of facts up to that moment:

I just want to set/put the record straight.

I

Other common idioms connected with perceiving situations I h eard it on/through the grapevine that you're thinking of leaving the company. Is it true? [heard . it from someone w ho had heard it from someone. elseJ He doesn't hate you at all. It's completely untrue. lr's just a figment of your imagination. !something you have imagined which is not true] The Prime Minister seems to have lost sight of w hy she was elected. She's broken all her promises to rhe people. [forgotten a central, important fact or truth about something) What beats me is why people are prepared to sit in a traffic jam every morning for half a n hour just to get to work. [what I cannot understand] T'm having second thoughts about moving house. I like this part of the city and I'm not sure I'd be happy anywhere else. [I decided something, but now I am no longer sure abour it] I don't know all the ins and outs of the situation, but it seems that David has decided to move our of the flat h e shares with Ruth and Monica. Ithe details ofl

I 18

If an idiom has a preposition associated with it, e.g. ins and outs of. second thoughts about, always write the preposition with the idiom in your Vocabulary notebook, as well as any other important structural information.

English Idioms in Use

Exercises 5.1

lo each of these conversations, the second speaker uses an idiom to repeat what the first speaker says. Complete the idioms. ·1

2 3

4 5

5.2

Martin: Well, Luke has finally learnt that he can 't expect everyone else to pay for him. Philip: Yes, I think he's ............................. ....................................................................... . Anne: Well, Sheila will certainly learn never tO do that again! Gerry: Yes, that should definitely ..................................................................................................... . Frances: His suggestions are worth taki ng seriously, aren't they? Brad: Yes, they've certainly given us .................................................................................................. . Will: J oe's .:.:onvinced himself that his neighbours are drug smugglers. He's just cra zy! N ick: Yes, I'm sure the whole thing is a ...................................................................................................... Carol: Well, I think we were right to tell her what really happened, don't yo u? Steve: Yes, it was impo rtant to ........... ...................... ..... ........................................................ .

Complete the crossword. I•

I

3

Across 3 Yo u can he
l

4

5

6

S.3

~

Down 1 T hey're not your first th oughts. 2 Usually means hits, bur is used in an idio m about not understanding something. ·4 They go with 'ours' .

Complete each of these idioms.

1 I want to know ................................................... I ................................................... . One day yo u say you love me, t he next day yoll say I'm iust a friend . It's driving me crazy. 2 H e spent £500 of my money. I'll ncver !enc.I him m y credit card again. I've ............................................... .. n1y .................................................. . 3 l don't know all the ................................................ and .................. ............ ................ of the situation, but I thi nk on e of the directors is going to resign. T here must be a big problem. 4 I can understa nd that she needed help, but ..................................................................................................... me is that sh e should ask someone as stupid as Simo n to help her!

5.4

Answer these questions.

1 Think of an occasion when you learnt your lesson. 2 Think o f something \"'•hich happened w you thar you decided to put down to experience. 3 Have you ever decided to do something, then had second thoughts a bo ut it ? W hat was ic? 4 Think of something you heard recent Iy on the grapevi ne. What was it ? 5 Have you ever been in a friends hip or relationship 1.,v here yo u had to say 'I need t0 know where I stand'? What was the situation ?

English Idioms in Use

I9

Success and failure When things go well If something ...

chen it ...

makes all the difference (to some thing)

has a very good effect on a situation o r a thing

works/goes/runs like a dream

works/goes/runs very well indeed

works like magic

works immediately and very well indeed

goes from stre ngth to strength

gets better and better

does the trick

solves a problem very well

is the be -all-and·endwall (of something)

is the most important thing (often used in the negative: not the be-o/1-and-end-<Jll)

is I turns out to be a blessing in disguise

has a good effect even though at first it seemed it would be bad

... and when they don't If ...

then ...

someone/something is a victim of their/its own success

their/its success has negative effects as well as or instead of positive ones

someone doesn't have the ghost of a chance (of doing some thing)

they have no chance at all

som eone/something gives up t he ghost

they/it stop(s) working or they stop trying to succeed because they know they will not

someone/something leaves their/its mark (on someone/something)

they hi"e I it has an effect (usually negati'le) that changes someone or something fo r ever

Other useful idioms connected with success and failure I always knew Ahmed would go p laces. He's been an excellent athlete since he was a teenager. [would be successful (go places is not used in rhe simple rense forms) I H e's a good writer, but he hasn't reall y ever hit the big time. fbeen successful nationa ll y or inrernarionally and made lots of money] He's really m ade a go of that resrauranr he boughr. He's extended it and he employs about ten people now. [been very successful with]

I 20

If a dictionary or your teacher tells you al'\ idiom is not used with a particular tense or has other grammatical restrictions, e.g. go places in C above, always make a note about the grammar in your notebook.

English Idioms in Use

Exercises 6.1

Complete these idioms with prepositions. I His Internet company has gone ............... ................ strength .................................. strength in the last six months. He's ma king a lot of money now. 2 The flood ruined our old kitchen, but it was a blessing .................................. disguise, beca use rhe insurance company paid for a completely new one. 3 This new mo del is not the be-all-and-end-all ................................. digita l cameras, but it certainly has many technical features t hat others do not have. 4 Your offer to drive us to the airport makes all the difference .................................. our travel plans. 5 Your p lan to persuade Lela to join the committee worked .................................. magic.

6.2

Use the idioms from exercise 6.1 to rewrite the underlined parts of the sentences. I At first we tho ught the new road would spoil our village, but in fact it was a positive development and the village shops are doing more business. 2 I sprayed the stain remover onto my jacket and it had an immediate positive result. (Give two answers.} 3 This is not the absolute best ctnd most complete cookery book, but it does have recipes from 100 different countries. 4 The school has got better and better since the new head teacher took over. S Getting new curtains has changed my fl at in a positive way. It feels like a new one.

6.3

Who would be most likely to say these remarks ? Choose the correct answer.

1 It left its mark on me. a) som eone who had just spilt red wine over themselves · b) someone w ho taught in a very bad school for ten years c) someone w ho had a wonderfu l birthday party 2 I'm a victim of my own success. a) someone who won a lot o f money then spent it a ll b) a student who always passes every exam they take c) a popular teacher w hose class everyone wants to be in

3 l don' t chink l'll ever hit chc big time. a) a rock musician w ho is popular in local cl ubs b) an a rhlerc who has jusr got a p lace in an O lympic ream c) a dentist with a very heavy schedule of appoincmenrs 4 Work isn't rhe be-all-and-end-a ll in my life. a) someone w ho is unemployed b) someone w ho has a lot of interesting hobbies c} someone w ho never finishes a job they start

6.4

Complete each of these idioms. 1 T he photocopier has completely ................................ .................................. the ghost. We need a new o ne. 2 1 didn't think I .................................. .................................. ghost of a .................................. of passing the exam, but I d id. 3 My new motorbike ................................................................... a dream; it's fast, but so smooth and quiet.

6.5

Answer these questions. 1 If yo u make a go of something, do yo u succeed or fa il? 2 What should you remem ber about the grammar of the idiom go places? 3 What could you write in your Voca hulary notebook about the use of be-all-and-end-all?

English Idioms in Use

21

Having problems Describing the problem I've come up against a brick wall. [something is blocking me from doing w hat I want co do] ( I put my foot in

it.~

[said something tactless and embarrass ing] ( I' m in dire straits.

I've been left holding the baby. [ochcrs have left me p roblem a lone]

deal with a

/ . , They've got me over a barrel.) , !Z

L

AX\

[have put me in a situation where I have no choice over what I .:an do]

)=_

[in a very difficult or d::ingerous sim arion]

I've come up against a stumbling block. [a problem which stops me from achieving something]

( I've dug myself into a hole. "):-

~ I'm clutching at straws now. ) :e;

1ha ,·e myse lf caused a

; problem that will be diffic ult ro escape from (informal)] ( I've spread myself too thin.

tO

>=--

[am trying to do roo many things a t the same rime, with the result that I can't give any of them the attention they need I

z

-

[am in such a difficult siru:ttion that I will try anything!

[am unable to find information or to achieve something I'd hoped fo r] So now we are all going to have tO face the music.

[accept criticism o r punishment for wha t you have done]

Fact of life Taxes are, unfortunately, a fact of life. lan unpleasant si tuation vvhich has to be accepted because it cannot be changed I A fact of life must not be contused w ith the phrase the facts of life, v.:hich is a slightly indirect (humorous) way of r eferring to informa tion about sexual reproduction. Another humorous idiom for the facts of life is the birds and the bees.

Easier said than done Why don' t you take the train w work? Then you'd avoid a ll the traffic jams. Easier said than done! T here arc no trains at the right time. lsornethirlg you say when something seems li ke a good idea, but is d ifficult to actua lly d oJ

I 22

Make a 'problems· idioms page in your Vocabulary note book.You will find examples of other idioms that can be used for talking about problems in o ther units of this book too. As you find them, add them to this page of your notebook.

English Idioms in Use

Exercises 7. I

Match the beginning of each idiom on the left with its ending on the right.

1 left holdi ng rhe 2 brick 3 stumbling 4 dire

5 draw a 6 have you over a 7 face the

7 .2

wa ll block mustc baby barrel straits blank

Put the words in the right order and m ake sentences. 1 2 3 4 5

6

done I said I Easier I than too J to I Try I spread I thin I not I yourself I I I I foot I it I wish I my I put I hadn't I in a I life I older I of I Getting I fact I is mother I tel l I and I was I to I rhe I it I rhe I abo ut I bees I Sarah's I decided I time I her I birds hfe I primary I facts I of I the I C hildren I taught I in I school I are

7.3

Which idioms do these pictures make you think of?

7.4

Complete each of these idioms with one word.

1 You'd better st0p talking or you'll dig yoursdf into a deeper ................................................... .

2 I hoped I'd find rhe address I needed in the library, but I drew a ................................................... . 3 If you take on any more work, you' ll he spreading yoursel f far too .................................................. . 4 Stranded on the island with no money and no luggage, we were well aware that we were in d ire .................................................. . S The police explored a number of leads, bm each time they came up against a brick 6 Nor having enough savings to set up a business was a major srumbling ................................................... . 7 I wish I could leave my job, but rhey've got me over a .................................................. .

I

Magazines often have articles about people's problems or question and answer pages dealing with problems of different kinds. Find an article or a questio n and answer page like this and make a note of any Idioms that you find there.

English Idioms in Use

23

Dealing with problems Trying to solve a problem 1

Rc.ty nw:led.. o.. boo.l:c.o..se.. He. ho..d.. b~1 mo.kilig iio wi.tn plru1ks of wood, on bricks , but. he. wa.riW something ni.c.er now . Hi,s si.6t.er, Smd.!:J, sugge.sW bu8in9 o.. se!f--o..ssembly bookc.o..se. where. t.he. pi,e.ces ea.me i.11 o.. ftAt po.ck for hi.m t.o put. t.o9et11er hi.mse!f. Rc.ty knew he. wo..sn't. muc11 good. Cl.t t.ho..C sort. of t.hi.119, btAt. he. J..ecid..ul t.o glvt- i.t ~ shot/i.ihirl.2 • When he. opened.. t.he. po.ck, t.t. rut looked.. v~ c.Dnf\..\si.119, but. he. wo..s Gle.t.ennined. t.o get to grips witt1 3 Lt.. Aft.er o.. coople. of hoors , he. ho..d.. some.t.hi.119 t.hCl.t looked.. o.. bi.t like. o.. bookc.o..se. but. wo..s ro..tl1er wo1>b41 . To be. on i*'lt- sOJfe. sid.e4, he. ou/; t.hi.6 ,' she. s
'.2

3

4

managing w ith something that isn't as good as you would like give something a try (informal) make a n effort to understand or to deal w ith a problern or situation

ift

:~:nr~~:c~g~:self ~~~~1~~ ":. ; \\t~\1

__,--.~~

might not be

~:c~~sary ~---~~:~

--

t'---

discover

J ,

the truth about something

,

'

~

·- -

1(

-r

1

::..:::i j( _:_;_41

..... - ,, ... --

Light and understanding 1he re.c.e.nt re.le.IA.Se. of fi,ft~r8e.o..r-old.. d..owment.s ho..s $hed. o.. ~ d.uL of poli1:i.col cri-se.s of Uie. 1~50s. Some. une.xpec.ted.. i.nformo..t.ion abotA1' t.11e. government. of t.he. d..c.ty hM be.en brOcAght; to Ught o.ncL some. S«rpri.6~ fo..c.l;.s oJ>ot.tt t.he pol.i.Uci.Ms of t.he. ti.me. ho..ve. o.Lso come. to Ug11f;.

li9ht on t.he.

The concept of light is often used to represent mental illumination or understanding. The idiom bring something to light (usually u sed in rhe passive - see above) m eans t o d iscover facts that were previously unknown. Often , though n ot always, these facts are a bo ut

something bad or illegal. Come to light gives a similar idea of unknown (acts becoming known. Shed/Throw light o n something means to help people understand a situation. It's been a very d ifficult year, but a t last I feel 1 can see the light at the end of the tunnel. lsornething makes you believe that a difficult and unpleasant situa tion is coming to an end]

C

The problem's over The Democratic Parry is beha ving as if victory was already in the bag. lcertain t o get o r achieve something (informa l)]

l was in despair until Chris turned up - the answer that you have needed

to

m y prayers. [something or someone

for a lo ng timeJ

I want ro wave a magic wand and make things better. jfind an easy way co solve a problem] I've got to tie up a few loose ends before I go o n holiday. ldea l with the last few t hings that n eed to be d one befo.re something is completed ] Once Sheila expla ins why she acted as sh e did, everything will fall into place. [yo u understand something tha t you did n ot understand before, or everything goes well]

After the flood, it took us some time to pick up the pieces. [try to return to normal!

24

English Idioms in Use

v

Exercises 8. 1

Match each idiom on the left with irs definition on the right. 1 tie up loose ends

2 3 4 5 6 7 8

8.2

come to lighr give something a shot get tu grips with something make du to be on rhe safe side wave a magic \.vand get to the bottom of something

understand ;ind deal with someth ing rry something find an easy sol ution just in case finish off final little tasks uncover the truth manage with something of worse quality be discovered

Complete each of these idioms with one word. I've been busy at work, but I can see the light at the end uf the .. .. ....................................... .. now. Sarah wanted to ................................................... a magic 1..vand a nd make her son happy again. J ust wait while I cie up these ................................................... ends, then I'll go co the match with you. When her parents gave her some money, it was like the answer ro her .................................................. . I've never tried yoga before, but I'd he happy ro give ................................................... a s hor. The job isn't in the ................................................ till you've had an offer in writing. ? This research may shed fresh ................................................... on the causes of asthma in children. 8 As I listened to the evidence, everything began to ................................................... into place. ·1

2 3 4 5 6

8.3

Complete each sentence with an idiom from the box. Make any other necessary changes. bring to light give it a whirl

come to light fall into place get to grips with pick up the pieces shed light on

get to the bottom of

1 I'd like to try that new bowling alley. Let's .............................. ~.................. this even ing. 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

8.4

March each statement on the left with the most likely response on the right.

1 2 3 4 5 6

8.S

I' m fine.ling it quite hard .................................................. m y new role at work. When the business failed, Paul vanished, leaving his partner ................................................... . Some important new evidence .................................................. in the lase few da ys. I hope that \.ve'll be able ................................................. what's been going on. New medical research ................................................... the causes of hi;:art attacks . As soon as 1 met Joshua 's fa mily, everything ................................................... . In the investigation into their accounts, a num ber of errors ................................................ .

I'll wash your car for yo u! Let's go home now. T he job's in the bag! We'd better take umbrellas. Can you make do with a pencil? We just don 't know what to do!

OK, just to be on the safe side.

lf only I could •.vave a magic wand! You're the answer to my prayers! Soon. I've still got some loose ends ro tie up. I hope you're right! Sure, chat'll do fine.

Which idioms do these pictures make you chink of? 2

English Idioms in Use

25

Power and authority A

Laws and rules Note the idioms in this letter to the Editor of a newspaper. 1

«·

Sir/Madam, During the recent demonstrations in the city centre, we saw protesters taking the law into their own hands 1 and attacking the offices of the company responsible for the pollution of our beaches. While I can understand how angry these , protesters must feel, it is clear that the most violent group of demonstrators, the so-called 'Nature's Commandos· , have become a law unto themselves2 and that the police are fai ling to

B

C

control the situation. What we now need is a firm government that is prepared to lay down the law3 to the big corporations which pollute our environment and to stop bending the rules4 when it is a question of conuuercial interests. At the same time, the police must take firm action against the mosc violent groups. Only in this way can we solve the problems we now face.

, 1

l \

3

j

1

i

Sincerely, Laura Norder

2

4

taking action

which should be taken by the police or the courts are completely out of control and simply ignore the law be very firm and clear about the law, and enforce it making special exceptions; letting some people disobey the rules/laws

Authority and responsibility

If you ...

then you ...

carry the can (for something which happens)

accept the blame/responsibility alone, even though other people were responsible

get I let someone off the hook

are free I leave someone free. fro m all responsibility or from a difficult situation

leave someone to their own devices

allow them to decide how to act; do not control o r supervise them

are at/on the receiving end (of something, for example, a person's anger/criticism)

suffer from I are the target of (the other person's anger/criticism, etc.)

are at someone's beck and call

do everything they tell you to do, whenever they tell you to do it

get your own way

persuade other people to let you do what you want

Power and politics The people of Sweden go to the polls next Sunday. [q)<1ulzl vote in a general electionl The governmem's spin doctors always make sure t he news is very positive. [public relations officer s who meet the press/media and present events in a way t ha t suits theml I think there is a hidden agenda in the government's plans. [an attempt to hide their real intentions]

26

English Idioms in Use

Exercises 9. 1

Which of these people are in a good situation (from their point of view) and which are in a bad situation? The idioms all come from B on the left~hand page. 1 Tim has been let off the h ook. 2 Sally has had to carry the can.

9.2

3 Carmen is at everyone's beck and call. 4 Fiona has got her own ·way.

Complete each of these idioms with a preposition. 1 It's w rong to take the law ................................................... your own hands. 2 It's time I laid .................................................. rhe law and made them do their duty.

3 l would not want t0 be .................................................. the receiving end of his b~d temper. {Give t-..,vo answers.) 4 O ld Bob seems to have become a law ................................................... himself at work. He does just what he likes. 5 Nobody tells you what to do. You're just left ................................................... your own d evices.

9 .3

Rewrite the underlined part of each sentence with an idiom. 1 I think there is a reason she's not telling us about tha t letter she sent to the boss. 2 I t hought I was going ro have to represent my class at the staff- student meeting, but thev've told me I don't have to. 3 She's an awful boss to work for; the secretaries have to do what she wants whenever she wants it, eight hours a day, seven days a week. 4 H e h as had to rake a lot of criticism from the press in recent weeks. 5 They cause all the trouble, and I always have to take the blame. 6 I don't want someone telling me what to do all the time. I'd rather be a llowed to make my own decisions about how to do th ing_s.

9 .4

Write a sentence or a couple o f

sentences for each of these idioms · to show their meaning.

1 a hidden agenda 2 a spin doctor 3 bend the rules 4 go to the polls

'I think he must be one of those spi11 doctors.·

I

R.ead the editorials and/or letters to the Editor in an English-language newspaper or watch I list.en to an English-language news broadcast on radio I TV I the Internet. Notice how many idioms occur in the political news. Make a note of any id ioms that are not in this unit.

English Idioms in Use

27

Structuring and talking about

argument~

Structuring arguments cm

!*le. One. ho.t'od.. 1, I d.on't thi.nk th
1

3

4

5

B

and 2 these phrases are used to present two opposite facts or two different ways of looking at the same issue an expression which means you accept that something is true, but it still does not change your opinion indicates that you're describing something as briefly as yo u can advantages and disadvantages

Noun phrases relating to arguments She's caught in a vicious circle. She gets depressed, so she buys some new clothes, so she has no money, w hich m akes her depressed again. [a problem that can not be solved because it causes another problem that causes the first problem again] Don't let's get onto corruption in the police. That would really be opening a can of worms! wirh beca use~ r will cause rrou hle (i nforma l)J

ta problem which you do not want to deal

The producer says critics love the film, but box-office takings w ill provide the acid test. [a key test which w ill prove the value, quality or truth of something] Certainly, boarding school is hard for childre11. The other side of the coin is that they learn to be independent. (a different view, making something look either better or worse than before)

Talking about arguments

28

idiom

meaning

example

tie yours~lf (up) in knots

become very confused when you are trying to explai n something

Fiona tried to explain the problem. but she soon tied herself up in knots.

be brought/called to account

be forced to explain your actions and (probably) punished

The Ministers responsible should be called to account for their incompetence.

give someone the benefit of the doubt

believe something good about someone even though you could believe either good or bad

I'm not sure that David is telling the truth, but I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt.

go round in circles

make no progress in an argument or discussion

We're going round in circles. I wish you'd come up with a new idea!

won't budge/give an inch

won't modify an opinion or agree to even small changes that another person wants

I'm prepared to compromise, but Bert won't budge an inch.

English Idioms in Use

Exercises r 0.1

Match the beginning of each idiom on the left \Vith its ending on the right.

1 a can of 2 · the acid 3 a vicious 4 ma 5 o n the other 6 the other side of the 7 tie yourself up in 8 go round in 9 be called to 10 won't give an I 0.2

circle hand

nutshell com inch cirdes worms knots test account

What arc the situations describing? Match an idiom from the bo:x: with each situation. ·a vicious circle goirig round in circles putting it in a m.1tshell the pros and cons of a situation tying yourself up in knots

the acid test .

·-·· ..... . ..

1 Trying uut a new invention for the first rime. 2 Trying to explain something complc.x thilt you do not really understand. 3 The advantages and disadvantages of moving to a different rown. 4 Explaining a complicated situation in two minmes. 5 Trying ro reach agreement when neither side is prepared to modify its position. 6 Getting rid of some books so you have space on your bookshelves, then buying more books because you now have space, so you now need to get rid of more books to clear a bit mon.: space. J0.3

Complete each sentence wirh an idiom from the box. a can of worms called to account on the one hand be that as it may g\\'e 'riim the benefit of the t\oubt the other side of the coin

;--"·· ~

.

\

1 Tn some ways it's glamorous being a pop star. Bur ................................................................ .................................... is that you no longer have any privacy. 2 lt'~ time these petty cr\minals were ......................... ... .................................................................. for their irresponsible actions. 3 I know Bill's a nice friendly person, but, .............................................. ....... .............................. .. ........ , he still has to pull his weight in the office. 4 ................................................................................................. , l think J anna might h~vc the b est pcr5onaliry for the job, but, on the other, Mina has more experience. S If he's apulogiscd, I think you should ...................................................................................................... . 6 It would be opening ...................................................................................................... to inquire about hi:; finances.

I 0.4

Rewrite the underlined part of each sentence with an idiom. 1 2 3 4

1 got very confused trying to explain to Ka rl how I felt about him. I'd like you to write an essay on the advantages and disadvantages of working ahroad. To put it brief\:y, James needs to produce. better homework. Natasha was prepared to compromise, but Alex wouldn't compromise ar a ll. 5 You need more money so you work more. You earn more so you spend more. So you need to work more. It never ends.

English Idioms in Use

19

Conversational responses Emphasis

B

possible stimulus

you soy

you mean

You can borrow my car tonight.

Thanks a million!

Thank you very much indeed.

Did you get the job yo u wanted?

No such luck!

You're disappointed you were not able to do something.

Can I go skiing with you and your friends this weekend?

The more, the merrier.

You're happy for others to join your group or activity.

She's a great teacher!

You can say that again!

You totally agree with someone.

Come on the roller coaster With me!

No way!

Yo u do not want to do something.

I don't know how you can drive a car in London traffic!

There's nothing to it!

You think something is easy.

You could become a model.

Don't make me laugh!

You think something is unlikely.

It's nearly the end of the holiday already.

How time flies!

You are surprised at how quickly

We bumped into John's teacher in Venice!

It's a small world.

You are surprised at a coincidence. e.g. meeting someone unexpectedly or discovering mutual friends.

possible stimulus

you say

you mean

What do you think caused the problem?

It's neither here nor there what I think.

It is not very important.

Who do you think is to blame - the boss or the workers?

It's six o( one and half a dozen of the other.

Two people or groups are equaHy responsible fo r a bad situation.

What do you think of Jed Hart's acting?

I can take it or leave it.

You do not hate something, but you don't par ticularly like it either.

Luke's got so many computer games.

I know. You name it, he's got it.

time has passed.

Indifference

Anything you say or choose, e.g. You name it, he's done it

Life Get a life!

~ [find mo re interesting things to do.]

This is the life! It's/That's the story ..__, ___.,.,../ of my life! [lt's great to relax and . not to bear wo rk.] ~ [Bad things always seem to be I ~ happening ro me. (humoro us)]

LI~ You haven't lived!_.,. - - -

--

[Something someone has nor experienced is very good or exciting and they should try ir. (humo rous) ]

30

English fdioms in Use

-----------

Such is I That's life!

!Bad things happen and you cannot prevent them.]

Exercises I I. I

Complete these d ia logu es with an idiom from A o r B on the left-hand page.

1 A: My new neigh bour was at school wi th you !

B: ................................................................. .......................................................... .. 2 A: ls it OK if I bring Jeff to your parry? B: .............................................................................................................................. . 3 A: Do yo u think An ne or Brian is to blame for their break-u p? B: ·4 A: Goodness! lr's nearly m idn ight! 8: 5 .A: Did you manage to get ti cker~ for the concert in the end?

R· ..

6 A: Do you Iike ea viar?

B: 7 A: H e says he's going to he Prime \iti nistcr one d ay.

B: 8 A: Would yo u agree to do overtime for no extra pay?

B: I 1.2

Complete these sentences with an idiom fro m C on the left-hand page. l A: I can't come o ur wi th you because I've got to \'\1 ash m y hair.

B: ........................................... ............................................................................... .. 2 A: I've neve r s\.vum in the Mediterranean.

B:

.. .................................................... ............................................................... It really is wonderfu l!

3 A: Your new girlfriend h::1s dropped you a lready\

B: ............................................................................................. 4

A:

As soon as I moved into my new flat, the roof sta rred leaking.

\):

5 A: Ir's wonderful being here on the river when everyone else is at work ! B: You're right . ...... ............................................................... .............................. ............... . .

I 1.3

Correct t he mist akes in these idioms.

l lr's a lovely present. Thanks a thousand. 2 3 4 5 6

I I .4

You won' t find it difficu lt to lea rn to ski. There's really nothing to that. It's eirher here or rhere w hich ho te l yo u d ecide ro sray in - they're both excellent. Let's ha vc a rea ll y big wedding. The more, the merry. You may say that aga in! l couldn't 3.grcc with you more! H e's travel led a lor. You si1y it, he's been rhe re.

Which \dioms do these pictures make you t\1ink of?

3 .. ,.......,, ~,

1

~~ ft II

. ~ ~;;~ ~·~ ,.. vi' ~)

-

. ,~4~. y~ ·'

'

It is often a good idea to learn a typical conversational response idiom in a pair with a statement t hat might prompt it, for example: Do you like heavy metal music? I can take it or leave it.

English Idioms in Use

3I

12

Praise and criticism Praise and positive comments In these conversations, che second speaker uses an idiom to repeat and sum up what the first speal<er says. Mieko: That little village was t he most wonderful, beautiful place I've ever seen . Tania: Yes, it reaHy was out o f this world, wasn't ir? Nora: Alec:

Professor Breen is the best lect urer I've ever heard. Yes, he's second to none, isn't he?

Lucy:

I'rn not looking forward to being group leader after John. He's so popular and successful. Fergus: Yes, he's a hard act to follow! Larry: Susan:

O h , 1 do like our new sofa. lt looks just perfect here. Yes, it's just made for this room, isn't it?

Kirsten: 1 admire WiJJiam. He defended himself very weJl in the face of all the criticism and made some good points against his critics too. Adrian: Yes, he gave as good as he got, didn't he? Emilio: I don't chink we'll ger rickets for the cup final. T hey're all sold and we'd have ro pay a huge sum of money to buy some o n the black market. Chris: Yes, they're like gold dust. Mark: Nuria:

B

Dr Zasta 's research is incredibly origina l and he has made some important new discoveries. Yes, he's done some really gro und-breaking work.

Criticising people Read Alice's account of some problems she had with a colleague at work. Note the idioms. . . . Well., wnoi I swt;ed, 1..iorl:tng ;..iU;h ner, a.t. ft.rst. sne wG.S oJ.I. sweetness o..ncL li911t.1, bo
J\

32

English Idioms in Use

1

2 3 4

5 6

7

8

friendly and pleasant, bur in a false way irritating/annoying me make me suffer I feel guilty tease/mock me (you can also say make fun of me) to make a bad situation even worse criticise my character; suggest that I was nor honest (formal) completely/totally (for negative qualities of people) doing things rhat were certain to result in trouble (you can also say asking for it, which is more informal)

Exercises I 2. I

Use an idiom in each sentence to repeat and sum up what the other person says.

r

A: Diana was very friendly and smi ling after o ur qua rrel, but in a real ly false way. B: Yes, I know. O ne m inute she was angry, the next minute she was

2 A: I tr ied to buy the new Madon na CD, bur a ll t he shops had al ready sold out. B: Yes, ap parentl y they're ................................................................................................ . 3 A: H he continues to behave the way he is behaving, he's going to have big problerns. B: Yes, I th ink he's just ............... ....................................... ........................................... . (Give t rel="nofollow">vo answers.) 4 A : Bridge Street College is t he best school in the w hole region . . B: Yes, it's ...................................................................................................... . 5 A: I en joy being C hai rperson, bur l fi nd it difficult coming after such a popular and successful C hai rperson as Sarah . B: Yes, she's certain\y ..................................................................................................... .

12. 2

Correct the mistakes in these idio ms.

1 She really gets in m y nerve sometimes. 2 The last President was an in-and-out crue l mo nster, and the new one is not muc h better. 3 I don't thin k you should cast aspirations o n him. He's not here to defend himself. 4 T he scientists d id some ground-making research on human genes. 5 She had al ready upset me, but to add injuries to insults she rold me I was ugly.

ground-breaking work

l 2.3

Answer these questions. l What verb and preposition can be used instead of make and of in the idiom make fun of somebody? 2 W hat verb can be used instead of get in the idiom get on someone's nerves?

12.4

Complete each of these idioms.

I T hey criticised her very strongly, but she -·················· ............................. as good as she ................................................... and made them shut up. 2 This dining table is just ................................................ fo r this room. T he wood matches t he doors per fectly. 3 Why are yo u .................................................. me such a ................................................... time? I know I was wrong, but I said I'm sorry. I can't d o any more. 4 We sta yed at a luxurio us five-s tar h otel. l r was o ut of .................................................. .

E.nglish Idioms in Use

33

Opinions on people and actions Evaluating people or things lt often helps to learn idioms by associating them with keyv.1ords. keyword

idiom

example

meaning

answer

have a lot to answer for

Parents who don't control their children have a lot to answer for.

are the main cause of the pro blems

crack

something is not all it's

That restaurant is not all it's cracked up to be.

cracked up to be edge

someone/sornething has

the edge over someone/something desire

leave a lot to be desired {always in simple tense fo rms)

is not as good as people say it is

This computer has the edge over other models because it has such a huge hard dr ive.

is slightly better than

Her spoken English leaves a lot to be desired.

is not as good as it should be I as we might expect

make

have all the makings of

The recent events have all tne mak'1ngs of a big polit ical scandal.

are likely to develop into

side

on the big/expensive, et(:. side

This suitcase is a bit on the heavy side.

heavier than you w ant it to be

loss

a dead loss

Th is bottle-opener's a dead loss.

completely useless

ready

rough and ready

The accommodation was a bit rough and ready.

cr ude and lacking sophistication

Commenting on people and their actions If someone ...

then they ...

throws the baby out with the bathwater*

change th ings. but lose good t hings as well as bad

gets/jumps/leaps on the bandwagon

get involved in so mething already very successful

plays devil's advocate

pretend to be against an idea so that others discuss it

drives someone to distraction

make someone very angry or very bored

makes an exhibition of themselves

do things in public that make them look stupid

does something under false pretences

cell lies about who they are or what they're doing

ne ver does anything by halves

always make a great effort and do things very well

is a laughing stock

are laughed at I mocked by everyone

* In former rimes, before people had hath w o rns, all rhe family wo uld bath in one bathtub. First the master of the house would bath, then his wife, rhen rhe chi ldren, and last of all the baby. By the time the bah)' was washed, the wa ter was so d ark and dircy rhere was a risk t hat no one w o uld sec the hahy any more, and it would be thro wn away with the dirty water!

34

English Idioms in Use

Exercises I 3. I

Which idioms on the left-hand page have these keywords ? keyword idio m I half 2 baby 3 desi re 4 bandwagon 5 laugh

13.2

Use the idioms from exercise 13.1

t0

rewrite the underlined parts of these sentences.

1 T he new c.locumcnmry channel on TV is not as good as it should be. 2 · My nrother goes to enormous efforts to do cvcrythin~ perfect!\'; he designed anc.l built his own house, and designed mosr of the furnirnre too! 3 He thinks everyone is afraid of hiin, but in fact evervonc laughs at him in secret . 4 Yes, l think we should change rhe system, but I think we should be careful tO keep the good things
13.3

Answer these questions.

2

3

4

5

13.4

During the discussion, Kelly played dcvil"s advocate. ~ Did she agree o r disagree with everyone else? ~ snw;noN OXFOl
Complete each of these idioms. Use the clues in brackets.

.,

I :,#"...

,.

"/ 1',.··

..:~

/ ? ,v,·

1 That new mo torway project has .................................................. the .................................................. of a disaster for the environment. lr will go through the middle of a wildlife area. (is likely to become) 2 Zara ............................................. a real ............................................ of ........................................... in class the other day. It was so embarrassing! (behaved in a way that made her look stupid)

3 The Krona Hocel is a bit .................................................................................................... ex.pensive ............................................ . Couldn't we star somewhere cheaper? (more than f want to pay) 4 This new d igital camera is a ....... . ............................ ................ .. .................. . The batteries run out after ~1 bout ten photos. (useless, no good ) 5 I think Paris .................................................. the .................................................. O\'e r other European cities as a place for a hol iday. (s lightly herter) 6 The government has got a ................................................. ro ............................................ for with reg;i rd to unl.!mployml.!nt. (has ca\\sed a lot of prnblems}

English Idioms in Use

35

14

Behaviour and attitudes Behaviour to yourself and others

B

idiom

meaning

example

look right/straight through someone

behave as if you do not see someone either because you do not notice them or because you are ignoring them

Ann often looks straight through you. but I think it may be because she's short-sighted.

leave someone in the lurch

leave someone at a t ime when tlley need you to scay and help them

I'm sorry I'm leaving you in the lurch, but l've got to get to a meeting by 10 a.m.

give someone a hard/ rough/tough time

make things difficult for someone

The teacher will give you a rough time if you don't finish the book.

keep a lid on something

control the level of something in order to stop it increasing

Rolf's been trying to keep a lid on his emotio ns, but every now and then his anger erupts.

let (yourself) go

either take less care of your appearance or relax completely and enjoy yourself

Sophie used to be so elegant. but now she's really let herself go.

blow something out of (all) proportion

beha'le as if something that has happened is much worse than it really is

The newspapers have blown the dispute out of all proportion.

Attitudes towards events \AJl1en we. 901:. t.o Ot.lr 110~ d.es!irlo.H.on, i.t wo.s o.. ver8 tong ci.i.mb «P l:.o !:ne c.o~e. t11o..t we were ren!irlg. Jol1n ~014ght l'lOttling of' i.t, but I foond.. i.t q«i.te. dj,ffi,wLt. However, wl1en we. got 1:.o t:ne !:.op, t:ne vi.ew wo..s so bWJ.(ti.fv.l t:no..t i.t brocAght ""' 1'41'11p to "'!! ~roo.t1 . We. were. OY\~ 9oi.Yl9 t.c l>e. the.re. for two weeks so we. were. d..etermi.ned.. l:.o l'!lo.l:e. ttle. l'llOSt of 3 i.b. Then ni!j mot:nu rCU'lg l:.o so.y t:no.t. m!! gro..nd.motl1~ 11o..d.. be.en WJ:en UL 0-t1d. 11er Wfe wo..s 11~ i.rt ttle. bo.Lo.nce.4 . Of (.O(..(rse., e.ve.Y8t:ni.ng else.. ~into ~s t11en o..nd. we o..gre.e..d. t:no..t we ~oc.d.d.n't drUlll ofb st;o.yi.ng o..wo.y in !:nose c.i.rcv.msto..nce.s. We. COJAgl1t t11e. ne.)(t plo..ne. honie. o..nd.. spenc t:ne.. fU.ghc tr8in9 l:.o conie. .to t:ums wi.tl-\7 the thcx.c.gnt< t:no..t sl1e. mi.qhl:. ciie.. However, t:n~ qoocl.Y1ess, when we... goe l:.o t:ne.. .hospi..toJ., sl1e. wo.s slH:l.ng «p c.omp~ re.covered.. o..nd. ve.Y!j a.potoge.t:i.c, tl1o..t she. ho..d.. spoi.Led.. o«r 11oli.d..ay. -~~~·~~_.,.._..,_~.

1

2 3

4

did something that other people found difficulr very easily found ir so moving that l wanted to cry rake full advanrage of something because it may not last long no one knows what will happen to ic in the furure

I

s did not seem at all important when compared ro something else 6 would never do something because we think It is wrong 7 start to accept emotionally and to deal wi th a difficult siwation

Idioms are frequently used for commenting on your own or others' behaviour and attitudes.Try to notice how idioms are used in this way when you are reading or listening to English. Note the context as well as the idiom in your Vocabulary notebook.

36 English Idioms in Use

Exercises 14. I

Which of these sentences describe basically positive behaviour or attitudes and which describe behaviour o r attitudes that are negative (at least from the speaker 's point of view)? 1 .\1.ark looked straight through me when I walked into the hall. 2 Rachel left me in the lurch as she usually does. 3 Sam has really let himself go since his wife died. 4 Let's make the most of this beautiful weather. 5 The boy's soprano ringing through the church brought a lump to my throac. 6 Rita's husband has blown the argument our of all proportion. 7 It'll be great to be able to let ourselves go once rerm ends. 8 !hey are gradually coming to terms with their loss.

14.2

Complete each of these idioms with one word. 1 The government has been quite successful at keeping a ................................................. on inflation.

2 H er boss is still giving her a .................................................. time for forgetting to circulate his report. (Give three answers.) 3 In the light of what has happened since, our problems then have paled into

4 Jeremy thinks nothing ................................................ being interviewed on TV. 5 The newspapers often .................................................. minor srories out of all proportion. 6 The beauty of the sunset brought a .................................................. to my throat. 7 The fare of my application is hanging in the .................................................. until my exam results come through. 8 l wo uldn't .................................................. of telling anyone your secret. I 4.3

Answer these questions.

1 Have you ever been left in the lurch? If so, when? 2 Has anyone ever given you a rough time? lf so, why? 3 Is there anything difficult chat you think nothing of doing? If so, what? 4 What do yo u think it is important to make the most of? 5 What was once a big problem for you that has now paled into insignificance? 6 What sorts of things bring a lump to your throat? 7 Can you thi nk of something that you have had to come to terms with? If so, w hat? 8 What would you never dream of doing? I 4.4

Which idioms do these pictures make you think o f?

1

2

3

English Idioms in Use

37

Reacting to what others say Complet e phrases possible stimulus

response

mea ning of response

I understood eve rything he said to me in French. I was just pretending not to.

Really? Yo u co uld've foo led me!

You do not believe what someone says about something that you saw or experienced yourself.

Josh adores cowboy films!

There's no accounting for taste{s)!

likes or doesn't tike something.

Are you prepared to hand in yo ur notice to stop them going ahead with their plans?

Yes , if a ll e lse fails!

If all other plans do no t work.

W hat do you think of the Labou r candidate in the election>

T he le sser of two evils, l s uppose.

It is the less unpleasant of two bad options.

How did we get into this terrible position?

One thing just led to a no t he r.

A series of events happened, each caused by the previous one.

le was such a stupid thing to say to her.

I kno w. I'll never live it down!

You think chat you have done something bad or embarrassing that people will never forget .

My boss just congratulated me on my repo rt. Sho uld I ask him for a pay rise now?

Yes, go on. Strike w hile t he iro n is h ot.

Do something immediately while you have a good chance of success.

How are you going to live on such

I don't know - o ne way or a nother.

You are not sure exactly how yet. but it will happen.

a small salar y?

You can't understand why someone

Prepositional phrase s Profits are falling.

Do you think I should sack half the staff?

Im o n.: cx m.:me than is n ecessary or appropriate)

If I were in your shoes, I wouldn't do that!

tin yo ur positio n l It wouldn't be ar the top of my agenda! lrhe most

38

Eoglish Idioms in Use

Exercises 15.1

Macch each idiom on the left with its d efinition on the right. I nor on

2 one way or a no tht:r 3 at the top of your agen da 4 over the top 5 if all else fai ls 6 strike while the iron is hot

15.2

somehow as a last resort exaggerated now important in appro priate

Which of the idioms from A on the left-hand page might the second speaker use in these situations? 'A: J love ro put a hit o f suga r o n my lettuce.

B: 2 A: I really d idn' t mi nJ at all that I d i
\Vj n

the prize!

B:

..

3 :\. Do you think I should go and speak to her now? B: Yes, ....................................................................................................................................................... .. :\. Would yu u rnther h a ve Smith or Jones as yuur bu!is? 4 .... B: I su ppose Smith's . ...................................................................................................................................................... A: Will you walk m work if your car won't start tomorrow? 5 ....

B: I 5.3

Correct the misrnkes in these idioms. 1 If l were in your boots, I'd t3kc tht: job in NC\\: York. 2 Asking the 1\rlanaging D irecror for his ID was a really stupid misrakc ro make. I'm su re my colleagues will never let me live it off. ] Improving office morale is said to be high un the new bo ss's calendar. 4 We hadn't intended to stay there so lo ng, but one th ing took to a nother. 5 Take yo ur chance now. Strike w hile rhe flame is hot. 6 I can't understand whar people see in t he exhibition. T here's n() accou ntin g for likes . 7 If all else falls, I suppose I'll have to go a n
I 5.4

Complete these sentences in an y way you like.

l If I 1,.verc in .................................................. shoes, I'd ............................................................................................................................. . 2 ......................................................................................................................................................... is at the top of my agenda at the m oment. 3 ......................................................................................................................................................... is just noc on, as far as 1' m concerned. 4 I'm de term ined tu ................................................................... ................................................................................ , one way or another. 5 I thin k that .......................................... ......................................................... .......................... ..................... is/was o ver the top. 6 In my opinion, if yo u compare ...................................................................................................... a nd ...................................................................................................... , then ...................................................................................................... is the lesser of two evils.

English Idioms in Use

39

Danger Getting int o danger The soldiers were caught napping by the sudden attack. [got into tro uble because they were not paying enough attention (napping = sleeping)] The H ealth Minister risked his job by going out on a limb and criticising the proposals put forward by the Prime Minister. [stating an opinion or doing something different from anyone else. YoLt can a lso be out on a limb, which means you are alone and lacking support from anyone else (limb = large branch of a tree)] J ohn was a weak man, easily led astray by others. [influenced so that he did bad things !astray= away from the main path )] I'd leave well alone if I were you; Jack hates people ro tidy his papers. ltry not to change or improve something because this might make things worse] Although it's always panic stations before the performance, everything goes smoothly as soon as the curtain goes up. la time or situation where you fee l very anxious and have to act quickly (informal )] Taxes are a necessary evil. [something you do not like, but you agree chat it must exist or happen] Thank goodness, you're safe and sound. I was so worried abo ut you when I heard about the accident. (this phrase simply emphasises the word safe]

B

40

Being close to danger idiom

meaning

example

have a narrow e scape

just manage to avoid danger or trouble

The crew had a narrow escape when t he pilot made a crash landing.

do som eth ing by t he skin of you r teeth

only just succeed in doing something

We won the match by the skin of our teeth.

rather/too close fo r comfort

so close in distance or similar in amount that you are worried or frightened

We won the election, but the results were rather close for comfort.

c.ut th\n gs fine

leave yoursel{ only ju';.t enough time to do something

I prefor getting to the station early, but Lee always cuts things fine.

som e t hing set s a la r m bells ringing

something worries you because it is a sign that there may be a problem

The strange look she gave me set alarm bells ringing.

take your life in(to) yo ur ha nds

do something very risky

You're taking your life into your hands crossing the road here.

your life is in s o meone's ha nds

that person can affect whether you live or die

When you go into hospital, you put your life in the hands of strangers.

hanging by a thread

likely to fail in the near future

The economy is hanging by a thread.

o n a knife-ed ge

in a very difficult situation and there are worries about the future

The business is on a financial knifeedge and may go bankrupt.

English Idioms in Use

Exercises 16.1

Match the beginning of each idiom on the left wich its ending on che right. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

16.2

be caught have a narrow safe and be led by the skin of yo ur be panic leave well go OUT on a

limb sound a lone escape stations astray napp111g teeth

Correct the mistakes in these idioms. 1 When David suggested they should come and stay for a weekend, it set alarm clocks ringing in my mind. 2 The patient's life is hanging hy a string. 3 Having to go to work is an evil necessity. 4 Why do some people always CUT a thing fine? 5 They are on a knife-blade waiting for the results of Brian's medical tests. 6 As the building was on fire, he had no choice but to put his life in the fi remen's hand and climb our of the window and onto their ladder. 7 You'll be taking the life in your hands if you make a speech like that to such an audience. 8 I think it would be more sensible to leave good alone.

16.3

Which idioms do these pictures make you think of?

2

16.4

3

5

4

6

Rewrite each sentence with an idiom. Use the keyword in brackets. 1 I suppose that exams are just something that you have to do . (EVlL} 2 h was such a relief when Ralph arrived back from his Arctic expedition fit and hea lthy. (SOUND) 3 You rook an enormous risk by agreeing to go up in a helicopter with such an inexperienced pilot. (LIFE) 4 The hurrican e seems to be getting a hit too near co our town and I'm beginning to feel

rather nervous. \COMfORT) 5 If I were you, I wou ldn 't arrempr to change things. (WELL) 6 We were in a state of chaos before the important visitors arrived, but we managed everything under control in time for their visit. (STATIONS) 7 The Sm it hs almost missed the train. (TEETH) 8 I hope the other students won't distract our son from his studies. (LEAD)

to

get

English Idioms in Use

41

Effort Making an effort idiom

meaning

example

give something your all

use all your energy and efforc to do something

I gave it my all, but only managed to come second in the race.

go all out

use a lot of energy and effort to do something

Jack is going all out to win the contract - I hope he'll succeed.

go out of your way to do something

cry very hard to do something. usually something nice

Maggie always goes out of her way to put new employees at their ease.

pull your weight

work as hard as other people in a group

If Sarah pu lled her weight, we would easily be able to complete the project on time.

by nook or by crook

using whatever methods are necessary

Our football team is determined to win the championship, by hook or by crook.

pull your finger out

rnake more of an effort (very informal)

If you don't pull your finger out, you'll get the sack.

at a push

probably possible, but it will be difficult

I could finish the report by Wednesday - at a push, Tuesday.

Trying You're not having much luck threading rhar need le, are y.ou? Lcr me have a go. [rry something I

w do

I'll have a bash at paintirlg rhe fence tomo rrow if you like. [rnore informal way of saying have a go] I went through the motions of tidying the house, but m y rhoughts were far away. [did somerhing hecause you are expected to do it, not because you want to do it. Jn other words, you do it bur without purring much effort o r enthusiasm into itl

Saying something is easy or difficult child's play

Iexrrcmely easyJ as easy as raking candy from a baby

a piece of cake

.....:r·... ..~--:·......_. :,,.-

a doddle !extremely easy (informal)[

42

English Idioms in Use

[exrremely easy]

Exercises I 7. I

Match each idiom on the left with its definit1on on the righ t. I go all our

2 be a doddle 3 4 5 6

l 7 .2

go through the motions be heavy-going pull your weight have a bash

make an attempt be difficult or tiresome ro do
Correct the mistakes in these idioms. l I wish you'd pull your hand out and help me move the furniture. 2' Sam d idn't like the exam, bur I thought it was a slice of cake. 3 I'm going to get rhe job somehow, by hook and by crook. 4 Sally could, in a push, take over the project for you. 5 The rest was as easy as falling off a tree. 6 Don't worry if you don't win the game - jusr as long as you give that your all. 7 Why don 't you have the go at repai ring the washing machin e you rself? 8 Persuadin~ him to do what I wanted was like taking candy from a 1.:hild. 9 Max will always go out of his road to help others. lO I had nu problems using rhe public transport system the re - it was a ch ild's play.

17 .3

Complete the idioms in this paragraph with prepositions. The. stv.d.et-tts t.n "'!:l cia.ss ho..ve. t.o ha.ncl m an a.$Si91'lrr>e.nt on Fri.J.o.y . Ma.sako i.s 9om9 cUt .... ..... . .. . .. ............ ( 1) t.o get a. good. mo.ri:. Ma.re 1.1 swill~ j"'st 9oe.s ........ ...... .................. ( Z.) U'le. rrioti.ons of wri.ti.1'19 AA e.sso..y , b1.1c tl1~s t.i.me. li e.'s reoJ4l p1.1Ued. hi-s .finger .................................. (3) Mel i.6 goi.!'19 .................................. (4} .................................. (5) his wo.y to write. some.Uiing goocl. He. so.ys t.hat lie wMtS t.o get ll.n A .................. .............. (t.) hook or .................................. (7) CfOOk. PGU
_

·~~-,,.......,.,.,,........,

17.4

----·-· ·--- -

Rewrite;: 1:ach underlined idiom with another idiom which has the same meaning. 1 2 3 4

17 .5

_..,....,..__~~~~~·------

A: Do you think I'll be able ro manage a snowhoard? B: Course, you will. It's as easv as taking candy from a bab>·. A: I can't open this bottle. B: Let me have a bash. A: How's John getting on with his new boss? B: He is going all out to make a good impression on her. A: Did you find it e:.isy to make rha r dress? B: It was child's play.

,.

Which of the two spt:akers in each case is speaking in a more informal way?

1 Mart: l think I'll have a bash at making some bread this weekend. Alex: I think I'll have a go at making some bread this weekend . 2 Leah: I wish you'd pull you r weight more with the project. Sam: 1 wi sh you'd pull your finger out and help more with the pro j1:c.:t. J Tom : Getting him tu du what I want is child's play. Sonya: Getting him to do what 1 want is a piece of cake.

English Idioms in Use

43

Necessity and desirability Necessity Return-Path: Mon, 04 Sep 2000 05:37:33 2000

Return-Path: Thu, 3 l Aug 2000 l 2:53:36 -0400

Hi Gerry. Good to get your e-mail. Things are fine here and we're busy. Nothing to complain about, except that an extra computer wouldn't go amiss 1•

Kate, I feel duty bound4 to tell you that all is not well in the secretaries' office. Nothing to panic about right at the moment, but you know how 11!1 ~~

1

2

B

-o-.:.-=

~--

-~

=

-~ m.e

Return-Path: Sun, 03 Sep 2000 14:25:55 -0400

Return-Path: <[email protected]> Tue, 05 Sep 2000 07:37:38 2000

Hello Kim' Thanks for your e-mail. Your new job sounds great. Things are horrible here, and if push c.omes to shO'Je2 , \'\\ just have to leave. If need be 3, I'll work in a fast food place just

Dear Lorna, How are you! I'm fine, but I'm a b'rt angry today. The boss has asked me to go to London tomorrow, and I need a trip to London like I need a hole in the head.5 I may pretend

would be very useful/good; we need rhem if the situation becomes very bad, rhis is what I can do

3 4

5

if it is really necessary I if r have no choice I feel rhat ir is my duty I thar I really ought to l don'r need it at all, and don't w
Wanting and desirability In rhese pairs of sentences, the second sentence means more or less the sa me as the first. I'm re~illy reall y looking forward to rneering your cousin. I'm dying to say hello ro her. (Note: always continuous tense form} Nothing would persuade me to ride a mororbike. I wouldn't be seen dead riding one. (Note the -ing form when a verb follows) I left home because 1 wanted to be independent. l just wanted to do my own thing. I'd do anything for a chance to meet the President. l'd give anything to shake his hand. His comments were just not appropriate. They were not in keeping with the tone of things. J would never ever consider a job like rhat. I wouldn't touch it with a barge pole. (barge pole = a long pole used to push forward a barge, which is a canal boat)

C

Other useful related expressions Customer: Have you got a copy of Advanced £ngfish Grammar? Bookseller: You're in luck. We have just one copy left. fsaid when you get something good that you were not expecting] It's not worth my while buying a new car this month. T hey're always cheaper later in the year. [I will nor benefit from doing it l You need a dictionary? Take your pick. There are three different ones over there on the bookshelf. [choose whichever you wanr l

44

English Idioms in Use

Exercises I8. I

Complete each of these idioms. 1 I wouldn't be ................................................................................................... working in a hamburger restaurant. All my friends would laugh at me. I just couldn't do it. 2 I feel duty .................................................. to go home and see my parents at least once a month. 3 I've had enough coffee, thanks, but another one o f those lovely cakes wouldn't go 4 I think that CD player he's trying to sell is srolen. If I were you, I wouldn't .................................................. it with a .................................................................................................... . 5 It's not .................................................. my .................................................. trying the exam again. I fa iled the first

. time, and I'll proba bly fai l again. 18.2

Complete the crossword. I

2

3

Down 2 l don't want one in m y head.

4

I 8. 3

Now use the idioms from the crossword to rewrite these sentences. 1 2 3 4

18.4

Across 1 I want to do my own .................................................. 3 You' re in .................................................. ! She's just a rrived. 4 If push comes to .................................................. .

You are very fortunate. We have just one room left for tonight.

If the situation really becomes bad enoug h, we'll just have to sell the a partment. I don't want to go w ith a big group of people. I want to be independent. I got a bill toda y for £700 fo r repairs to my car. I'm telling you, the last thing I need in this world is a bill for £700 right a t this moment.

Answer these questions.

1 Which idiom containing the word need means 'if it is rea\\y necessary' f 'if we are forced to act'? 2 W hat is another way of saying 'choose what you want from the available selection '? 3 What sho uld you remember about the grammar of the id iom with die that means 'want very much' I 'really look forward to ' ? 4 What idiom is based on the verb keep, and means 'suitable for ' I 'in line with' ? I8 .5

Answer these questions for yourself. 1 Is there anyone that you would give anything to meet? 2 Is there something that you 're dying to do in the next few days? Idioms are usually most common in informal texts - like the e-mails in A on the left-hand page. Try to read as many informal English texts as you can, for example, letters to popular magaiines from readers, Internet chat and newsgroup teXts, tabloid newspaper editorials, etc., and note any idioms you find. If you would occasionally like to try out some of the idioms you have learnt in this book, then informal e-mails are a good, natural context for using them.

English Idioms in Use

45

Probability and luck Probability

****Your week in the stars**** You try something on th e off-chance 1 al work this week and ac hieve success against all the odds2 . At home you must be careful not to take someone close to you for grantcd 3 as, if you do, it is a

foregone conclusion4 that you will regret it sooner 1:ather than later. Others ha,'e seen changes in your Jove life coming a mile offS and it is touch-and1

2

3

4

5

go6 whether your current relationshi p w ill survive this week. No prizes for gucssing7 who is to blame: for the problems. However. you may still be able to get back together. Do not listen to others when they say that the cards are stacked against8 you. .It is always worth chancing your arm 9. Whelht~r you succeed or not is in the lap of the gods 10.

************************ emphasis a nd is no r a lways ind ucled in rhe

because you h o pe you will d o o r find some thing or someone even if you do n ot t hink success is ver y li kel y desp ite a lo t of p ro blem s mak ing it unlikely that you will succeed you don 't sh o w yo u' re g ra teful to someo ne beca use they a re \v irh you so often the resu lt is o b vio us to everyone even befor e ir h a ppens

have seen char something, usually somcrhing bad, is likely to happen (a mile off a dds

6 7

8

9

10

ex pressio n ) nor ce rta in (often fo llowed by whether) ir is very ea sy ro guess (usua lly fo llowed by a question w o rd ) you arc nor likely to succeed because there arc so m a n y ohsracles in >'Our w ay tak ing a r isk ro ac h ieve what you w ant (informal ) not something th a t you ca n contro l you rsel f

Luck

46

possible stimulus

you say

you mean

I got away with missing afternoon school last Friday. so I'm going to try taking all of Friday off next week.

Don't push your luck!

Don't try too hard to get what you want and r isk losing what you have achieved.

Would you like to choose which hotel room you want?

We' ll take pot luck.

We'll take whatever is available w itho ut knowing if it w ill be good o r not.

Do you always get a good horse at the r iding stables you go to?

It's the luck of the draw. (draw= competition where w inners are chosen at random)

Jr's a marrer o f chance and you

You're playing against the best player in the competition!

Just my luck!

You say this, usually humorously, to mean t hat you are always unlucky.

Did you manage to persuade Jane to come o n holiday with you?

No such luck!

You are disappointed you weren't able to do what you would have liked to do.

I dreamt that Elton John invited me to one o f his parties last night'

You should be so lucky!

What someo ne wants to happen is unlikely to happen.

English Idioms in Use

have no control over it.

Exercises 19. I

Comment o n each of these sentences. How likely or unlikel y is it that the action referred co will happen? l Agai nst all the odds J ack is attempting to climb the mountain wi tho uc oxygen . 2 Will Molly get the job she wanrs? It's in che lap o f the gods. 3 No prizes for guessing which role Tom's got in the play. 4 The cards are stacked ag:iinst her completing her course. 5 It's a foregone conclusion rha t Beth will come top in the exam. 6 1 think it's to uch-and-go whether Rob will pass h is driving tesr. 7 Ler's go to the library on the off-chance that they'll have the book we need. 8 . Green will lose his job in t he Cab~nct reshuffle - you can see it coming a m ile off.

19.2

Match each response from the box with a statement. Don't push your luck! I'll take pot luck. N e suo::.n luc.I<.! Ycu shcul
It's the luck of the draw.

Just my luck!

1 A: Did you win anything in the lortery?

B: 2 A: Your bike has a flat tyre, I'm afraid.

B: 3 A: We can't choose which team we play against first in the tournament.

B:

l know.····--················..··················-············································································································

4 A: I've been getting the hest sales results of anyone o n the team. I'm going to ask the boss for more pay.

B: 5 A: You' re. welcome to come for diimcr, but I don't know what we're having. 6

I 9 .3

B: Don 'r worry. ......................................................................................................................................................... A: 1 feel sure Dad's goin g to give me ;i car for my birthday. B:

Correct the mistakes in these 1diorns. l They've been married for so long that they take each o the r as gra nted. 2 We've dooc all we can. Now the results of the election arc 1n the lap uf gods. 3 Ale.x is chancing the a rm a bit only applying to one university. 4 No prizes for guess who got the job in the end!

5 The card s were stacked on Bart being able to persuade him. 6 It was touch-or-go who would w i-o the match. 7 We could all sec Jan's collapse come. 8 Let's go down to the theatre off the o n-cham:e that we can get some tickets that have been returned.

19 .4

C hoose six e:xp(essions that you WQuld particularly like to le~rn - three from A and three from B on the left-hand page. Write sentences using the idioms in relation to a situation that

is significant to you personally.

E.nglish Idioms i11 Use

47

Social status Social status and how people see it

B

example

meaning

He's very nice and friendly, but his brother is very toffee-nosed.

thinks he is of a high social class and looks down on people of lower class (negative)

Don't try putting on I giving yourself airs and graces. Remember, I know that you come from a very ordinary family.

acting as if yo u were someone of a higher social class than you really are

Everyone was shocked to hear he was involved in crime. He was such a p illar of society.

a solid, respectable and respected member of society

He r new boyfriend's a bit of a rough diamond, but he's very nice really.

a perso n who seems impolite I of low education at first, but who is usually of good character

She's always giving money to down-and-outs and anyone who begs in the street.

people who have no home, no money and no job. who live on the streets

We can't really afford new furniture, but we have to keep up appearances, so we'll buy some.

continue to live at the same social standard we have lived at, even though we have money problems

Social status and job/career These clips from a magazine with stories about people in the news contain idioms that refer to success or status in their careers. He was a high-flyer 1 in the w orld of : :p_uters in the ~-9~~-went _o~_:j

She is on e of several up-and-com.i:og" . actr es ses who have appeared in the new

r------------·--- - - ----, : He first made a name for himselP t in the world of classical music, then

The company needed new blood 5 and she provided it. Within months, sales had gone I --------1

2

Kenneth Briggs is definitely on his way up 3 1 in the financial world. He has j ust joined the

--------- -

-

----

3

~ 5

-~ ... -"'- ...... -·-....;J

rose very quickly to a successful position became well-known rising to better and bcrrcr positions becoming more and more popular/famous a new person from outside the company

Other useful idioms connected with social statuslsituation I prefer to keep a low profile at work. J'm not interested in promotion. [nor draw attention to myself; be unnoticed] Oh, you must come co the parry! Anybody who is anybody will be there. [all the important peoplej Harriet always seems everyone else)

to

be the odd one out. She never see ms to fie in socially. rdifferent from

You can't call someone ' unemployed' any more. The polit1caHy correct name is 'unwaged' . faccepcable and non-offensive wa y of talking about particular social groups; usually used in a mocking or negative way about people who insist on using politically correct language J

48

English Idioms in Use

Exercises 20.1

Correct the mistakes in these idioms. I He is always rhe odd out one. If ~II his friends do one sport, he does a different one. 2 When he lose all his money, he sti ll cried ro keep appearances even though he could not afford his lifestyle. 3 Sometimes it's better to giYe a low profi le at work. fn that way, nobody asks you to do difficult jobs. 4 She became a name for he rself by being the first woman ro climb Mounr Everest. 5 He's always putting on <3.ir and grace, but everyone knows he's just an ordinary person ·with a very o rdinary backgr ound.

20.2

Rewrite the underlined part of each sentence with an idiom. 1 All the most important people will be at the concerr on Friday, so don't miss it. 2 It's not sociallv acceptable co refer to 'underdeveloped ' countries any mo re. If you don't want to offend people, you should say 'developing nations'. 3 He was voted 'Best actor who is quicklv becoming well-known' of 2001. 4 They employed a lor of young people as tht·y felt they needed new people with fresh ideas. 5 A lot of the people who live in those huge houses near the beach think they're a berrer social class than other people and look down on chem. 6 My boss gives the impression of bcin~ rather rude and uneducated, but he's a very nice gu}' in fac t. 7 She was a verv respectable member of societv, but then ir rurnec.I our she was involved in rhe illegal drug trade.

20.3

In 1 2 3 4

20.4

your own words, say what it means if ...

... you're on your way up in your professio n. ... someone is down and out. ... someone is a high-flyer in the computer industry. ... someone is coffee-nosed.

Which idioms do these pictures make you th ink of? 2

I

\\

look \n your Vocabulary notebook or in other un\ts in this book where there are no pictures an
English Idioms in Use

49

Feelings Fee ling good, feel ing bad good/positive feelings

bad/negative feelings

example

meaning

example

meaning

I am/feel o n t o p of t h e world today. I've just passed all my exams.

very happy indeed

I've been (feeling) a bit down in t h e dumps lately.

depressed I in low spirits

She was thrille d t o bits when I told her she had been picked for the team.

very happy and excited

She's been/felt on e dge all day.

nervous, agitated, anxious

Jo was very co ol, calm a nd co llect e d just before the job interview.

relaxed, prepared, in control, not nervous

I just don't know what to do about the problem. I'm at the e nd o f my t e ther*.

am so tired or annoyed, I just can't deal with the situation any more

When I saw how happy Nancy was with t he present we gave her, it made my d a y.

made me feel very happy/satisfied

I've h ad m y fill of exams. I hope I never do another one for the rest of my life.

had enough (often in a negative sense)

I jumpe d for joy when they told me I didn't have to do the English test.

felt very glad/happy about something, often a reaction to good news

I'm s ick a nd t ire d of studying. I just want to get a job and earn money.

have had enough (always negative, much stronger than have your

fi/0

* A tether is a rope used to limit an animal's movements and where ir can feed. If rhe animal reaches the end of its tether, it can't find any more grass to eat, so becomes hungry and unhappy.

B

More reactions to events In this letter to the Problems page of a maga7.ine, the context s hould give you a good idea of the meaning of the idioms in bold.

·n

r::::.---------------------------- -- ---·--- -- -- -- -- ---

1I \ :

I

I

1 ( 1

) (

1

1 I

l

ear Paula., I'm 22 and work in an office In London. I ba.ve been going out with a boy for the last sl.x months, but lately it has all gone wrong. When I first saw him, he just took my breath away - I could hardly speak, he was so attractive and intelligent. We started going out, and after a while he said he loved me. I think this gave me a. false sense of security, and I never thought a.nythlng bad could happen. But then someone told me he was dating a good friend of mine. The news was so terrible I just didn't know what had hit me, a.nd I was so embarrassed I didn't know where

I

I"....,...

to put myself. I asked him about It, but he didn't take kindly to the Idea that I was suspicious of him. He got a bit angry, and told me that that side of his llfe ha.d nothing to do with me. I have mixed feelings about this news, sometimes I feel positive, sometimes very down, and I don't know which way to turn. What should I do? Should I finish with him, or should I accept his right to have other dates a.pa.rt from me? I still love him. Yours,

l>iuuu rtoe

w

Tables like the one in A can help you o rganise your vocabulary learning better.Wherever you can, make tables in your Vocabulary not ebook. Use separate columns for positive and negative expressions, or for formal and informal ones.

50 English Idioms in Use

Exercises 21.1

Complete each of these idioms with a preposition. "I

2 3 4 5 6

21. 2

I've had my fill .............. ............ meetings. I hope w e never have ;mother. They' re so ho ri ng. She jumped . ·············-················ joy when they told her she had won a trip ro Paris. Jane has been······-·························· ................................ - the dumps since her boyfriend went away. He was thrilled .............................. .. bits when r t o ld him Sara was coming to stay. I couldn't face all the problems any more. l was .................................. the end of my tether. I've been ................................ edge lately) but I don't really know why. Sorry if I sound impatient.

Answer these questions.

1 ~ame something you arc sick and tired of. 2 When was the last rime you felt on top of the world? Why ? 3 fs there any place you have visited which is so beautiful it took your breath away? 4 In what kinds of situations do you feel on edge? 5 Have you ever been in a situation when: you d idn't kno w w here to put yourself? What was it?

2 I .3

Look at these extracts from letters to the problem page of a magazine. Complete in your own words the sentence below each one.

1

:········.-······ ·-··

3

-

\ She told me she was leavtng me. I .:

i didn't know what had bit me, I just ~

.

...

Ji 9

.

~"""'

" ' ,, _, ,

l

Please help me. I don't know which way to turn. Would it be · '--·- -~-· I need help, I ..................... .................................. .

21.4

~-

.,l

I had always been ........................................

When she told me, I ....................................... 2

. . .,__ :·-· .. -· ,.-·I'd always been cool, calm and collected in my job. but suddenly

4

·-.

----.......-. ·--....... -·-·- ---· ·--·______... ·--..., . I'm writing lo you because I'm at :· the end of my tether. Recently, a

~-...--._..,._~..............................,,;,,1

I'm writing because .......................................

Complete each of these idioms. Use the keyword in brackets .. Meeting her there when I wasn 't expecting ro see her ........................................................................... . (DAY) I'm not sure whether I want the job or nor. I ·················-·····-··--···················-·····--··················-·············· . (MIXED) The good news made me .. .................. .............. ..................... .................................... . . (JOY) I got a chance to go to Canad::t for a week. r was ..... ................................................................................ (BITS} He doesn't like people using his computer, so he won't ............................................................................................ . rhe idea of sharing one. (KlNDLY) 6 If you're feeling ...................................................................................................... , why don't you come out w ith us tonight? (DUMPS) 7 I've ...................................................................................................... job interviews - six in just two \.veeks! I never want another one. (FILL)

1 2 3 4 5

I

Watch an English-language talkshow on TV where people talk about their personal problems. Note any.use.ful idioms, check t heir meaning, then think how they might relate ta you personally.

English Idioms in Use

5I

Human relationships Good relationships idiom

meaning

example

be in someone's good books

that person is pleased with you possibly only temporarily

I'm in t he teacher's good books I helped her tidy the classroom.

get on like a house on fire

get on extremely well with someone

Fortunately. we got on like a house on fire from the start.

keeplgetlbelstay in touch with someone

keeplgetlbelstay ·in contact with someone

We n'lUSt an keep in touc'n after our course is over.

make it up to someone

do something good for someone you have done something bad to in the past

I'm sorry I forgot your birthday. 1 promise rn make it up to you.

take a shine to

like someone immediately (informal)

I could see from her smile that she had taken a shine to h·1m.

have a soft spot for

feel a lot of affection for one particular person. often without knowing why

Nick was a naughty little boy, but I couldn't help having a so~ spot for him.

idiom

meaning

example

be at loggerheads (of two people or groups)

disagree strongly with each other

The council and local residents are at loggerheads over the plans for a new car park.

be (talking) at crosspurposes (of two people or groups)

not understand each other because they are trying to do or say different things

We're talking at cross-purposes. I was referring to my brother and you're talking about my father.

have it in for someone

be determined to criticise or harm someone

I can't understand why he has it in for me - I've never done anything to harm him.

have it out with someone

talk to someone about something they have done in order to solve the problem

I can't take Ben's selfishness any longer - I'm going to have it out with him this evening.

rub someone up the wrong way

irritate someone

She seems to always rub her boss up the wrong way.

two-time someone

have a romantic or sexual relationship with two people at the same time

She refused to believe he was two-timing her until she saw him with another girl.

kee p someone/something at bay

prevent someone/something from coming near or harming you

So far this year, I've managed to keep the flu at bay.

keep yourself to yourse lf

prefer to be on your own and avoid talking with or doing things with other people

Judy seems nice. But she keeps herself to herself. so I don't know much about her.

Difficult relationships

52

English Idioms in Use

Exercises 22.1

Which of the neighbours referred to docs the speaker have a good relationship \Yith and which docs he have a bad relationship with? l gee on well with some of m y neighbours but not with others. I get on like a house on fire with Anna who lives next door, but Rob on rhe other side has it in for me for some reason. l'm always at cross-purposes with Jane from over the road, bur I'm in her husband Pat's good books. I used to be at loggerheads with the Browns, bur we had it out and now things are OK. I prefer to keep the dog from number 22 ac bay and its owner, ja.:k, and I a lways seem to rub each other up the wrong way. H owever, I've got a soft spot for his son, Jimmy.

22.2

Correct the mistakes in these idioms.

1 I would immediately drop any boyfriend that tried to two-times me. 2 Susie h as taken the shine to her new teacher.

3 Please stay into touch with me once you go home. 4 Nita's boyfriend promised to make up it co her for forgetting her birthday. 5 T here's something about him rha t always rubs me d own the wrong way. 6 We try to be friendly, but the Smith family prefer to keep them to themselves. 7 If you want to leave early, you'd hetter try a nd stay in the boss's good book . 8 Rana really seems to have it out for me today - I don't know how I've u pset h im.

22.3

Choose the correct answer. 1 The neighbour's pet rat is supposed to be friendly, but I'd r ather .... a) not keep in touch with him b) keep him at bay 2 The union and management have heen ... ever since ma nagement proposed issuing new contracts. a ) at loggerhe
22.4

Answer these questions. 1 What might a young child do to try tu ~et in the teacher's good books? 2 If you are at cross-purposes with someone, arc you angry or confused? 3 How might you try to make it up to a friend whose car you've scratched? 4 What are three different ways in which you can keep in touch with distant frien ds? Which way do you like best ? 5 Are there any things that people say that r eally rub you up t he wrong way? 6 What do you think should happen to someone who two-times a boyfriend or girlfriend? 7 If you keep yourself to yourself, are you lonely? 8 If you rake a shine to someone.: or have n sofr spot for them, is the ft:d ing mutual?

English Idioms in Use

53

Size and position A

Big and large

-:~< ~~ ma':_...;/ -

-r

think big

7 -

"\

big ~

~ ·arg~

/

BIG . /- -

----

~

loom large ,/ -----

example

meaning

She's a great singer. She'll make it big one day.

succeed; become famous

It's my birthday on Saturday, but I don't want to make a big thing of it, so don't tell anyone.

make it a special occasion; have a big celebration

If you're going to invest your money, you should think big. Put twenty thousand into oil shares.

have ambitious plans and ideas, and be keen to achieve a lot

So? You won ten pounds on the lottery. Big deal!

said when something happens but you are not im pressed/excited, even if others are

The characters in his films are always larger than life.

much more excit ing and interesting t han average people

The threat of an earthquake looms large in the lives of the city's inhabitants.

something which could happen and which is a huge worry for people

Inch, mile and distance Note: Although British people now use metric measurements, many expressions a re still used which include old measurements. An inch is 2.54 centimetres, a mile is 1.6 kilometres.

C

Mary: Is she willing to change her mind ? Ton y: No, she refuses ro budge .in inch. frefuses to change her position even a little bit]

Tum: It's obvious Ruth really likes Jack. Noel : Yes, you can see/spot that a mile off! O r It sticks/stands out a mile. fit's very easy co see I obvious !

Luke: Are you listen ing to me? Anne: Sorry, I was miles away! [not con<.:entra ti ng, but thinking about something else]

Dave: It's a very ugly hotel a nd the food's awful. Fran: Yes, it 's a far cry from rhar lovely hotel we stayed in last year. [very different from]

Other related expressions Relatives are nice in small doses, bur can be very boring if they stay a long rime. [you like them on ly for short periods ! His new house cosr a small fortune. [a huge am ount of money! You can buy sungl3sses in all shapes and sizes these days. lin a wide variety of types/sizes, etc.1 Joss is an unknown quantity. We'll have to be ca reful with him. !we know very little about him]

I 54

Networks can sometimes help you to visualise and remember a lot of information more easily than memorising a list. Try making networks for groups of idioms from different units in this book.

English Idioms in Use

Exercises 23. I

Answer these questions. 1· Jn which idiom does small mean big/huge ? (clue: money) 2 In which idiom does big really mean small/insignificant? (clue: nor impressed) 3 Which idiom means someone is more exciting/interesting than the average human being? 4 Which idiom w ith hig means ro become famous?

23.2

Use an idiom in each sentence to summarise the sicu,nion. 1 Maria is nor listening to what Eddie is saying. Her mind is on something else. Maria is ......................................................................................................................................................... . 2 There are big chairs and small chairs, armchairs, garden chairs and office chairs. Chairs are sold in ... ........................................................................................................................................... . 3 Our old school was dark and depressing. Our nev,r school is lighr and pleasant. The new school is a ......................................................................................................................................................... . 4 Jerry looks at Jenny with a romantic look in his eyes. He always wants to sit next to her, and always wants to talk about her. Yo u can see he's in love. It ................................................................................................................................................. ..... . Or: He's in love. You can see/spot it .......................................................................................................................................... .

23.3

Complete each of these idioms.

1 She's 40 next week, but she doesn't want to ................................................................................... She'd prefer just to go out for a meal wirh her husband rather than have a big party with lots of people. 2 For any person in a temporary job, rhc possibility of unemployment ...................................................................................................... , especially in a time of economic recession. 3 T he unions ~re prepared ro discuss the problem, but the employers will not ..................................................................................................... . They say they have made their fina l offer, and that's that. · 4 We have a new boss starting next '..Veek. He's a bit of ................................................................................................. - nohody has met him or knows much about him. 5 I like having friends to stay in rny flat, but on ly for a coup le of days. In general, friends are nice ........................................................................................... ; if they sra y too Jong, they always irrira te me. 6 We should think ..................................................................................................... when we come to plan the new website. There's no point in having one single, dull page; we should have lots of links and video clips, and as many colour picrnres as possible, a nd sound.

23.4

I

Use a dictionary to check the meaning of these idioms and then write a sentence for each one. che middle ground the middle of nmvhere he caught in the middle Well, I wanted a pet, and you're always telling me 1 should

think big when 1 make decisions for rhe future.

English Idioms in Use

55

Money A

Peop\e's finanda\ circumstances idiom

meaning

example

be on the breadline

be very poor

More people in Britai n are on t he breadline now than thirty years ago.

live in the lap of luxury

live an extremely comfortable life , because you have a lot of money

We live simply during the year, but enjoy living in the lap of luxury in a nice hotel for our summer holiday.

well off I well-to-do I well-heeled

having plenty of money

Most of the people living here are clearly very well-to-do, but there are a few poorer families.

spend money like water

spend too much, often without thinking about it

He spends money like water - I wonder where he gets it all from.

tighten your belt

spend less than yot.J did before. because you have less money

I'm afraid we'll have to tighten our belts now there's another mouth to feed.

make a killing

earn a lot of money very easily

The new Internet companies have made an instant kil ling.

be a money spinner

be a successful way of making money

My dog-walking business was quite a money spinner when I was at college.

Costs \Y/e had to pay through the nose to get our car repaired, but at least it's working n O\-V. \pay a l<)t ()f money1 If you say that something is a rip-off (informal}, you mean char iris not worth the mo ney char you paid for ir. We had to spend a small fortune on gerring everything we needed for our holiday. la lot of money. (You can also say that something cost a small fortune )I Someone can a lso m ake a small fortune out of a business or they can lose a small fortune.

Idioms based on the money metaphor

ttle

-to

Si.LL ~s 0.. ge..nerw.s mM who i,s ha.p~ to pidc v.p UU>A>i.U.1 for M~th~g-.- He mMige.cl to r~se thetop of hi6 profe.ssi.on i.n the- poti.c.e forc..e., bLlt i.t WM 11.t a.. amsUi.uoJU. price.2 . Hi,s mo.rri.o.9e. sv.ffere.d.. M o.. re.sLllt. Th~s WM to..rg~ bew..Llse. h~s dedication to 11i6 work p14t ~ tc 3 hi6 w~'s c.o..re.er M o.. nv.rse M soon M thei.r fi,rst. dli.Ld. c.oJ11e. oJ.ong. [,tnfortt.ln
-

1

2

3 1

- ,_____

-~·------

- --..----

pay fo r something, ofo;n something that is no r your responsibility (informal) by sacrificing a lot or by doi ng something unpleasant in order to ger it scopped someone fro m doing something rhar rhey were planning ro do experiencing rhe unpleasan t consequences of

I 56

~-

Help yourself to remember idioms by making a picture of their literal meaning in your mind (or on a piece of paper if you like drawing) as you learn them. To help you remember well-heeled, for instance, you might imagine or draw a pair of smart high-heeled shoes.

English Idioms in Use

Exercises 24. I

Put these expressions describing how much money someone has on a scale from poor on the · left to rich on the right. living in the lap of luxury

24 .2

on the breadline

well-to-do

well-heeled

Which person in each pair of speakers is probably more satisfied? 1 Anne: Our new husiness venture means we're going to have to righten our belts. Bob: We're making a killing with our new business venture. 2 Colin: Our new car cost a small fortune. Daisy: Our new car was a rip-off.

3 Ed: Fred:

My daughter s pends money like water.

My daughter's quire well off.

4 Gill: T his business vcnrure h as put paid ro our hopes of success. Harry: T his business venture has brought success, but at a considerable price.

24.3

Complete each of these idioms with one word. 1 Gina is ................................................... a kil ling in her new job. 2 I was put in the position where I had n o choice bur to .................................................. up the tab. 3 We spent a weekend at the hotel living in the ......................... ....................... of luxury. 4 Our neighbours spent a smal l ...................... ........................... on their new conservatory. S The first book Marvin \·v rore rurned our to be more of a .......................... ........................ spinner than a nyth ing he has written since then. 6 As Za k has lost his job, we' re going to have to ................................................. our belts for a while. 7 We had ro pay through the ...................................... ............ to ger tickers for the march. 8 If you don't srudy now, you'll .................................................. the price later on in the year. 9 Another expression that means spend money like ................................................... is spend money like there was no tomorrow. I 0 H e starred h is own business after .................................................. a sma ll fortune on rhe stock exchange and deciding that he should put his luck co good use.

24.4

Which idioms do these pictures make you think of?

English Idioms in Use

57

Work One man's career Mien Si.rflon sto.rte.d. work, he. wo..s at tne. ver!:I bof!oni of t11e. ~ur l.o..cld..u 1 • He hrul qv.Lte o. clu.d..-end. job2 d.oi.ng rv.n-of--the.-miU.3 to.sks. He. s~e.d, tne.re for o. cov.pte. of !:le.o..rs, bv.t tnen cie.cid.ui he hru:L to get ov.t of o.. rv.t4 . He. ptAu.ed, ov.t o.lL t11e. stx rel="nofollow">p55 o.nd.. rno.no.ge.d. to pe.rsl.lrule h~s mo.no.ge.r tno.t he shootd.. be. qiNe.n more responsibitit!::I. The d.epv.~ mo.no.ge.r qot tl1e. ~ 6 for i.ncompetence o.nd.. Slmon s~ i.rd:o hi6 sh~ 7 . For se.ve.ro.L montils he w/1..5 "4shed. off 11'6 fe.et,8 o.nd.. he. t'lo..d.. 11'6 i.iori: w.t wt9 to keep on top of tni.ngs. !>ut he wo..s soon recogni.se.d. o.s (.1.11 &.tpo.r.d.-~1 0 ~W.~9

b1Asi.v\e.SSl'l\()Y> (U'ld,

he W().5 n~IAm.ci. 11 ~ 0.. r(>(o.i, COT1'?~

of

jobs . stmon ho..d.. cl.Unbcd. to tl1e. top

1

the. ca.rur Lo.d.c:tu-- 2. ~----

1

2

3 4

5

B

in a low position in a work organisation or hierarchy job withou t a good fornre boring, routine escape from a monotonous, baring situation (see picture of h orse) made a great effort to do something well (see picture of organ; stops increase the sound of an organ)

b

7

8 9 10 11

11

_.---_

fer O~e. of futir

to?

- - -

.......

~

was dismissed from his job (also he given the sack) took over his job very busy had something very difficult to do This is a rut. becoming more and more successful invited to join a new workplace which had noticed his talents got to a top position in a work o rga nisation or hiera rchy

Being busy To be rushed off your feet is just one wa y of saying that you are very busy at work. H e re a re som e other idioms w hich give the same idea.

Are you very busy at work at the moment?

Yes, I'm snowed under.

Yes, I've certainly got my hands full. Yes, I'm up to my eyes/cars in work.

C

Yes, I'm on the go all rhe time.

Other idioms connected with work Plans for building the exte nsion have been put on ho ld u ntil our finances are in a better state. lleft until a later date (usuall y used in the passivell

The p lans look great on paper, bur you never know quite how things will turn out, of course.

fw hen

you read about it, bur might not rum our ro be so I

A lot of p reparation has gone on behind the scenes for the o pening ceremo ny for the Olympics. [in secret, o ften when som ething else is h appening publicly) Please d on't talk shop. It's too bori ng for the rest of us . [talk about work w hen you are not at work j

58

English Idioms in Use

Exercises 25. I

Complete each of these idioms wirh one word. 1 T he job looks good o n ................................................ , but the real ity is quite different.

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

I'd ha te to work in a rnn-of-the-................................................... job. M a ry has been up to ................................................... eyes in work all day. When .John reti res, his son will .................................................. into his shoes. M y cousin's an up-and-................................................... musicia n. I must try to get o ut o f a ................ ................................ at work. I've been on rhe ................................................... all day. W hy di d Kirsty's boss give her rhe .................................................. ? I wish you wouldn't talk .................................................. a ll the time! 10 Rosie was very thrilled to be ...................................................hunted for her new job.

25.2

6

25.3

Match each idiom on the left with its definition on the right. l behind the scenes 2 dead-end 3 get the sack 4 o ff the record 5 o n ho ld 6 pull o ut all the sro ps 7 rushed off your fee t 8 up-and-comi ng

25.4

very busy be d ismissed make an effort prom1s111g hidden unofficially delayed without prospects

Complete each of these idioms. We ho..d. o.. d.i,ffi.cLtLt ~ oJ:. work t.o~. We, wen oJ.L (1) .................................................. tAnd...er b~se, 1ve o.re ho..vi.ng some i.mportruit vi,si.tors next ww o,.nd.,. mo..no,.geme.nt hctS d..ecid,e,d... t.o ptAlL otAt oJ.L tl1e (2.) ................................................... to impress tl1em . We o.re 9oi.n9 to ho.."e OtAr work (3) .................................................. . oot to get evetBt¥li.n9 d..one, i.n lillle. long-tum l;o,.sks ho..ve be,e.n ptAf;. on ( 4) .................................................. so t11o..t everyt11i.n9 (,~ reo..d,y for OtAr v~sikors. Anyone who objeds hctS been told.. tl1oJ:. tl1ey will (5) ................................................... tl1e scu.k: o..nd... ever!:lone, who wo..nf;.s to (b) ................................................ tl1e c.c-ner w..d.d...er will ho..ve t11cir (7) ................................................... fulL tA nti.l the, ww i,s over. The vi-silors wotAlci be horritfi.W.. i,f t11ey knew whoJ:. wctS 9oi.n9 on (8) ... ............................ ........ . . .. tl1e scenes 1

25.5

Write sentences using six of the idioms from the left-hand page about your o wn work at present and your hopes and plans for work in the future .

English Idioms in Use

59

Speed, distance and intensity ·A

· Speed idiom

meaning

example

by/in leaps and bounds

very quickly

Club membership has grown by leaps and bounds this year.

get a move on

hurry (often used as an o rder)

Get a move on! You'll be late for school.

be on the run

try to avoid being caught (especially by the police)

The bank robbers are still on the run ten years after the crime.

fast and furious

full of speed and excitement

The car chase at the end of the film was fast and furious.

step by step (step-by-step when used as an adjective before a noun)

slowly; gradually

Changes need to be introduced step by step, not all at once.

drag your feetfheels

deal with something slowly because you don't really want to do it

We mustn't drag our heels over implementing the new legislation.

Distance and intensity

60

idiom

meaning

example

the word spread

the news went from one person to the next

I told only Joy about it, but the word quickly spread and soon everyone seemed to know.

keep track

continue to know what is happening to someone or something

The school likes to keep crack of its former pupils.

get off to a flying start

start well

The evening got off to a flying start as everyone was very impressed by the restaurant.

on the spot (on-the·spot when usecl as an adjective before a noun)

immediately or in the place where something is happen·rng or has just happened

The police can impose on-thespot frnes on people found drunk in the street.

all over the place

\n or to many j>laces

I looked for you al\ over the place.

left, right and centre

happening in a lot of places or to a lot of people

People have been coming down wit h flu left. right and centre.

reach I be at fever pitch

(used of emotions) to get so strong that people can't control them

By the end of the match, feelings had reached feve r pitch.

be in full swing

to have been happening for a long t ime and there is a lot of activity

The party was in full swing by the time we arrived.

get/go beyond a joke

be/become extremely serious and worrying

The children's behaviour has gone beyond a joke this time.

English Idioms in Use

-

Exercises 26. I

Put the idioms in che box into two groups: those focusing on time and those focusing on place. You can use one idiom for both. alf over the place

left. right and centre

26.2

get a move on

Match rhe beginning of each sentence with its ending. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

26.3

by leaps and bounds drag your feet fast and furious on the spot step by seep the word spread

Juan is making p rugress by Excitement is ar Within minures rhe fire brigade was on The siruation has gone beyond The holiday got off to I looked for you all over The film is about two men on I'll take you through it step by

a joke. step. the run. the place. fever pitch. the spor. a flying sta rt. leaps and bounds.

Choose the correct answer. l Grandma is recovering .... a) left, right and cenrre b) step by step c) all owr rhe place 2 My first day at school .. .. a) was ar fever pitch b) kept track c) got off to a flyi ng start 3 Why are you ... ? a ) dragging your heels b) getting a mO\T on c) goi ng beyond a joke 4 When I arrived a t Ja ne's house, preparations fo r the parry were .... a) in full swing b) getting a move on c) dr agging their heels S The football match was .... a) fast a nd furious h ) on the spot c) in leaps and bounds

26.4

Answer these questions.

1 Would you be pleased if your Engl\sh teacher said you were making progress by leaps and bounds? 2 Would you be pleased if you were told that your behaviour at work had gone beyond a joke? 3 What would you be expected to do if you were told ro get a move on? 4 Is it athletes w h o spend life on the run ? S Do you drag your feet '''hen you are ill? 6 What kind of films tend to be fasr and furious? 7 Would you be pleased if a party of yours got off to a flying srarr? 8 W hat can you d o ro help yourself keep track of all your appointments and other commitrnems? 9 If things a re all over the place in a room, ,vhat does the rooll1 look like? 10 If feelings reach fever pitch, how arc people probably feeling?

English Idioms in Use

61

Communication I: commenting on language A

Commenting on things people say In these remarks, the speaker uses an idiom to repeat or sum up rhe underlined part of what he/she has just said. I knew everything Bella said was complerelv unrrue. It was all a pack of lies.

I didn't sav it seriously or even think ahout it. It was just an off-the-cuff remark. I find it very hard to believe

he was just hugging her bec
but l meant ' Ireland'. \t was just a slip of the tongue. He iust said two comDletelv opposite things. He said he wanted to marry me and live with me, and in the same breath he said he wanted to go off travelling on his own.

I have a feeling inside me char w hat she said was a lie. ft just didn't ring true.

B

We didn't talk about any serio us topics, you know, just the weather, holidays, that sort of thing. lt was just small talk really.

l couldn't understand what he was trving to tell me. l just didn't know what he was o·n about. (very informal)

They asked me to make a speech, but 1 was so overwhelmed by the presents they gave me I couldn't th ink of anyth ing to say. I was completely lost for words.

Commenting on the words you are using You ask if I think we should help him. In a word, no. !said when you are about to give your opinion in a short, direct wcty] I chink he's behaved very stupidly. He's an idiot, for want of a better word. [not quite the exact or best ""ord, bur good enough for rhe situation]

I was, to coin a phrase, as sick as a parrot. (said when you use a phrase chat sounds a bit silly)

C

62

Joking and being serious joking

meaning

serious

meaning

People are always taking the mick/mickey out of him.

laughing at him, by copying funny things he does or says

Hiccups are funny when other people have them, but they're no laughing matter when you get them yourself.

not something to laugh at, quite serious

We shouldn't make light of her troubles; she's very upset.

treat as a jol<e something that is serious

I have to do the work of three people. It's no joke.

used about serious or difficult situations

English Idioms in Use

Exercises 27. I

Answer these questions.

1 If someone says 'Swedish' instead of 'Swiss' then quickly corrects them selves, vvhat can we ca ll this? 2 If someone m akes people laugh by copying rhe way someone else tal ks, what are they doing to that person? 3 If sorncune can 't find wo rds to express their feelings, wha t are they? 4 If two people tal k about the weather, o r abuur hair styles, just ro pass t he ti me, what kind of a conversation is it? 5 If someone tells stories o r rela tes a series of events which arc all deliberately untrue, whar can w e call it?

27 .2 Use the idioms from exercise 27.1 to rewrite these sentences. 1 J didn't know wha r to say. I ................................................................................ .... ......................................... ..................... . 2 Not o ne w ord of his story vvas true. It .................................................................................................................................... . 3 J didn't mea n to say it; it ........................................................................................................................................................ . 4 l d idn't mea n to offend her. r was just ······· ···················· ··························· · .... ···························································

5 It wasn 't a very serio us con versation, just ............................................................................................................................ .

2 7 .3

Rewrite each sentence with an idiom that means the opposite of the underlined words. Make any other changes necessar y. ·1 Sh e's had a big person a l problem . We should have a good laugh at it. 2 He told m e he had studied maths a t H a rvard, a nd it sounded as if he was telling rhe truth. 3 She said she w as a princess who h ad lost all her mo ney and positio n in a revol ution . T hat's a srorv anvone can believe! 4 She has ro get up at 5 a.m. and drive 50 miles to work every day. lt's great fun.

5 1 said 1 thought she should get herself a boyfriend. It was a carefully prepared remark .

2 7.4

Complere the crossword. Across

I 1

4

«

3

5

3 Do I wane to be a millionaire? In a ................................................... , no. 4 You ca n do this co a phrase. 5 I don't kno w what you' re o n

Dow11 1 She said it in the same .................................................. . 2 Stop taking the ................................... .............. ! 3 For ........................... ...... ................ of a better word.

English Idioms in Use

63

Communication 2: getting the message across Ways of expressing yourself

B

example

meaning

The message from doctors and researchers has come through loud and dear: smoking harms your health.

clearly and very definitely

You mustn't be afraid to speak your mind; it's important that everyone hears your views.

state your opinion very clearly and openly

She told me the bad news in a very matte,-..of-fact way.

without any feeling or emotion

Problems with communication In these conversations, the second person repeats or sums up what the first person says using an idiom. Brian: Liz:

I told Henry a dozen times not to use that computer, but he still keeps asking if he can. Yes, he just won't take no for an answer.

Anna: Jim just never stops! You try to tell him something and he goes on you're talking. Olivia: I know, it's impossible to get a word in edgeways.

t~lking

while

Steve:

I was trying to tell Liam that I know who stole the key, but he just kept talking about how expensive new locks are, which is a different question altogether. I know. It's completely beside the point.

Gina: Gail:

l think Carol completely misunderstood the main thing we were trying to say. Yes, she completely missed the point.

Rita:

Other useful idioms connected with communication Don't ask Ken to relax. He doesn't know the meaning of the word. [it is pointless him about relaxing; it's not in his character to do so]

tO

talk to

She repeated what the doctor said word for word. [the exact words the doctor had used]

If I were you, I'd read the small/fine print before you use your new credit card. [the rules, restrictions and conditions, which are often written in very small letters] To ask me to look after her three children for a week is rather a tall order, don't you think? la task, request or favour which is nor reasonable I too big to ask someone to do] Whether she is cleverer than her brother is a matter of opinion. [something different people will have different opinions about - it usually means you don't agree with the idea] There's a question mark (hanging) over the future of the tennis club. [nobody knows if it will continue to exist o r nor] English is a lingua franca in a lot of countries nowadays. f. , !11.1~1 \v~ ' f raeq k d/ a language used for day-to-day public communication, which is not the speakers' own language]

64

English Idioms in Use

Exercises 28.1

Match each idiom on the left with the situation in which it could be used on the right. 1 get a word in edgeways 2 miss the point 3 speak your mind 4 won't rake no for an answer 5 (repeat) word for word

28.2

She keeps on asking, even rhough we said no. She told me exacdy what her friend said. It's impossible to interrupt her, she talks non-stop. She didn 't really understand what I wanted to say. He doesn't hide h is personal opinions at J il.

Use the idioms from exercise 28.1 to rewrite these sentences.

1 Hilary will never just accept a refusal.

2 Joss always states his opirtions quite openly. 3 Sally never seems to understand what we're trying to say to her. 4 She rold us everything the teacher said to her in every detai I. 5 I tried ro tell her, but it was impossihle ro interrupt her.

28.l

Answer these questions.

1 There's a question mark hanging over the whole wildlife area project. In rour own words, what's the problem?

2 It's no good asking her to help. She does.n't know the meaning of the word. Does she usually help people? Explain . 3 If you read the small print, you 'II see you can't get your money back. Where do we usually find small print? What is another way of saying this idiom? 4 Tom: M iranda's a brilliant musician. Sue: That's a matrer of opinion. Does Sue think Mira nda's a brilliant musician? Expla1n . 5 English is a lingua franca in several Asian countries. Is English che official language in these countries? Explain.

28.4

Complete each of these idioms. 1 The government's message to the vorers is .... ........................................ ....................................... and clear: voce for us and we 'll reduce taxes. 2 J think it's rather a ......................................................... ....................... to ask studencs to write a 500-word composition in one hour. It would take at least two hours. 3 That has nothing to do with what we are talking about; it's complerely ...........-................. -..................................................... the point. 4 He has a very ................................................. ................................ way of telling you things: no emotion o r feelings whatsoever.

I

Try co collect more idioms connected with speaking, wricing and communicating in general. Look up keywords connected with these topics in a good general dictionary or in an idiom dictionary and see what idioms you find, for example, words like talk. speak, hear. word, etc.

English Idioms in Use

65

Life and experience: proverbs A

Proverbs A proverb is a short statement usually known by many people. It states something that is common experience or gives advice. Here are some examples.

you say

you mean

Absence makes the heart grow fonder.

Being apart from someone you love makes you love them more.

Actions speak louder than words.

What people do is more important than what they say.

The re's no point I It's no good crying over spilt m ilk.

There's no point in getting upset over something bad that's happened when you can't change it.

Don't put all your eggs in one basket.

It is not a good idea to put all your efforts or all your money into one project as, if it fails, you may lose everything.

Many hands make light work.

A job is done quickly and easily if plenty of people help.

Blood is thicker than water.

Family relationships are stronger than any other relationships.

Half proverbs There are a number of proverbs, which we often use on ly half of. The endings a re so fami liar that it isn't necessary to say them. H ere are some examples.

66

you say

ending of proverb

you mean

Too many cooks

spoil the broth.

If too many people work on something. they will spoil it.

People who live in glass houses

shouldn't throw stones.

People shouldn't criticise other people for faults that they have themselves.

It's the last straw

that breaks the camel's back.

Something is the last in a series of unpleasant events, and which finally makes you feel that the situation cannot continue.

While the cat's away,

the mice will play.

When the person in authority is not there, other people will not do what they should do.

Take care of the pennies/pence

and the pounds will take care of themselves.

If you don't waste small sums of money. you'll end up with plenty of money.

Birds of a feather

flock together.

People who have similar characters or interests will often choose to spend time together.

A bird in the hand

is worth two in the bush.

It's better to keep what you have rather than to risk losing it by trying to get more.

The grass is always greener

on the other side of the fence.

Other people always seem to be in a better situation than you.

All work and no play

makes Jack a du ll boy.

Someone who spends all their time working becomes a boring person.

English Idioms in Use

Exercises 2 9. I

Which proverbs do these pictures make you think of?

1

2

29.2

6

Can you find a proverb on the left-hand page that contradicts each of these proverbs?

3 Out of sight, out of mind.

1 Too many cooks spoil the broth. 2 Opposites attract.

29.3

Write the first bits of these proverbs - the bits that we usually use. l 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

29.4

..................................................................................................... and the pounds wi ll take care of themselves. ...................................................................................................... o n the other side of the fence . ....................................................................................................... makes Jack a dull boy. ....................................................................................................... shouldn 't throw sto nes. ....................................................................................................... is \vOrth two in rhe bush. ....................................................................................................... flock rogether. ....................................................................................................... the mice will play. ...................................................................................................... that breaks rhe camel's back.

What proverbs could you use in these situations? l Your brother's girlfriend is going abroad for six months. He is afraid rhar she w ill lose interest in him while she's away. Yo u could say: 'Don't worry. 2 A friend thinks th at he w ill not get a joh beca use th e boss's nephew is interested in the same positio n. You agree: ' ......................................................................................................................................................... .' 3 Three friends offer ro help you build a new shed. You say: 'Thanks!

4 You are discussing two friends: Eob who is full of grand promises and Ben who says little, but is a lways very willing to help. You could say: 'I prefer Ben ........................................................................

' 5 A friend of yours is very upset that he has scratched his ne'"' car. You could say: 'Don 't make such a fuss . ............................. ................. .................................................................................................... .' 6 Your brother is thinking about resigning from a not very well-paid job in order to spend time loo king for something better. You think he would be better to find a new job first. You say: ' ......................................................................................................................................................... ·'

English Idioms in Use

67

Memory A

B

C

68

Idioms based on the word memory idiom

meaning

example

commit something to memory

mak.e yourself remember something

He never writes phone numbers down - he just commits them to memory.

take a. stroll/trip down down memory lane

remember some of the happy things you did in the past

They went back to \.he place where they'd spent their honeymoon and took a stroll down memory lane.

jog someone's memory

make you remember something

The police are reconstructing the crime to try to jog the memory of possible witnesses.

in/within living memory

can be remembered by people still alive

Streets lit by gas lamps are still within living memory.

Idioms containing the word mind idiom

meaning

example

come/spring to mind

immediately think of something

I'd like to get him a special birthday present, but nothing springs to mind.

slip your mind

forget about something

I was going to ring her to wish her happy birthday, but it slipped my mind.

bear/keep something in mind

remember information when making a decision or thinking about a matter

Bearing in mind that it was your first attempt, I think you did very well.

your mind goes b\ank

you can't think of al"lything to say

When ! looked at the exam questions, my mind went blank.

cross your mind

think about something for a short time

Of course, I don't think you broke the window. The thought never even crossed my mind.

Out of sight, out o( mind.

something you say which means that, if you do not see someone, you forget about them

Annie hasn't thought of her boyfriend since he went abroad. Out of sight, out of mind!

Other idioms relating to the topic of memory idiom

meaning

example

something is on the tip of your tongue

you know it, but can't qu ite remember it

Her name is on the tip of my tongue what is it?

ring a bell

think you've heard something before

Jill's face rings a bell, but I don't think we've ever met.

a tl"ain of thought

a series of consecutive thoughts

Oh no! I've lost my train of thought.

l"ack your brains

think very hard

I racked my brains, but couldn't think where I'd left the book.

English Idioms in Use

Exercises 30.1

Complete each of these idio ms with memory or mind. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

30.2

Out of sight, out of .................................................. . The class reunion gave us a great opportunity for a trip down ................................................... lane. I'm sorry I forgot to post your letters. It just slipped my .................................................. . You can't remember whar you did last night? Let me jog your ................................................... . Please bear me in ................................................... if you need someone to work on this project. I was so embarrassed that m y··········································-····-··· just went blank. It never crossed my .................................................. to tell Nigel about our meeting. Streets full of horse-drawn carriages are still within living ................................................... - just! I wanted to give her a surprise, but nothing suitable came to ................................................... . Try to commit your mobile phone number to .................................................. .

Complete each of these idioms. 1 I don't think I know him, but his name rings ...................................................................................................... . 2 What is the word for it? I can't remember it. Oh dear, it's on ......................................... .................................. 3 If I try, I should be able to remember the recipe for yo u. Let me rack ................................................,..... . 4 Try not to interrupt his train ····-···································-·······-····················································· . 5 My son is much more adventurous than I was. At his age the thought of travelling abroad alone would never ...................................................................................................... .

30.3

Answer these questions. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

30.4

Which idiom could also be included in the Proverbs unit (Unit 29) of this book? Find two idioms that mention parts of the body other than mind or memory. What is the literal meaning of iog in the idiom jog someone's m emory? Rack is the name of a medieval instrument of torture on which people lay and were stretched. How does it fit this idiom? What is the literal meaning of stroll in the idiom take a stroll down memory lane? What is the literal meaning of spring in the idiom spring t o mind? What is the literal meaning of the word bear in the idiom bear in mind? Which of the idio ms is based on a metaphor of hearing something?

Complete each of these idioms with the correct form of a verb. I wo..s tol.cl to speoJ: fvr fi.ve mi.rlut.es on tne subject. of eteplio..nes. A few U:lea5 ................................................... (1) to mi.rid.. o..nd.. I remind.ea. people liow i..t i..s o... wetL-1::'.nown ~ tno...I; e!eplio..nbs lio..ve o.. Vet)1 good.. memot"H. The.ti, o...ftu o.. mi.rlut.e or so, m8 mi.nd.. ................................................... ( Z.) bl.a.nl: . I I::'.new I'd.. reo..d.. ru-1 o.rUde. o.b0«e etephcuies rec.en~, bue evet)1tni.rlg

1 >< l'l •IC!

2 >< IC!= 38

3>
I'd.. reo..d.. ho...d.. ................................................... (3) m8 mi.nd... I ................................................... ( 4) m!i t rel="nofollow">rn.i.ns , but; notni.nq ................................................... (5) to mi.rid... A fri..end.. ...:............................................... (~) m!:l me.mot'H b!:j co.W.ng 0«e 'eo.rs' from tne. bctd:: of tne room, but; 5oon I lio...d.. c.omplUe41 d..riM..

~or_H_ w_er..r-e_o..s __go_od.. _.,,. o.s..._ o..n e.leph-...o..n ~e-'s_!_ __ --~---.___,,__/-

English Idioms in Use

69

31

Time I: the past and the future looking back, looking forward One of the major divisions in idio ms involving time is herween those tha t look back from now into the past and those that look forward into the future.

Looking ba'k example

meaning

This camera has seen better d ays.

is old and noc working so well

My computer is out of date.

o ld and not useful or correct any more

She didn't study when she was young, but she's

doing now what she did not have the opportunity to do previously

making up for lost time now.

People have fallen in love with one another since/from the year dot.

\

from the beginning of time

Looking forward example

meaning

E-commerce seems to be the shape of things to come.

an indication of what is likely co become popular in the future

Use this room for the time being until your new office is ready.

temporarily; instead of

We are on the threshold of exciting new developments in medicine.

likely to happen very soon

The economy looks healthy in the short/mediumt long term.

for a short/medium/long time in the future

It's only a matte r of time before we star t to colonise other planets.

it will definitely happen, even though we cannot say exactly when

I can't say if I like the job or not. It's early days yet. it's too soon to say/decide In the long ru n you'll see it was the right decision.

B

a long time from now

Other related time idioms He spends money like there's no to m orrow, [eagerl y and verr quickly (or, more formally, as if there was/were n o com orrowJ]

At the end of the day, you have tO be

<1 little selfish.

[something you say before stating a very

important fact or idea] The fact that he had been dead for a week in his apartment before anybody found him is a sign ()f the t imes. [s
I 70

Although the idioms on this page do not all contain the word time, their meanings are all related to time in some way. Grouping idioms by meaning is another way of learning chem. in addition to grouping them by keywords.

English Idioms in Use

Exercises 3 1.1

Match each idiom on the left with the situation in which it could be used on the right. l it's early days yet 2 within living memory 3 since the year dot

4 the shape of things to come 5 on the threshold of 6 like there's no tomorrow

3 1.2

Someone shows you a car which is d riven by solar energy. Yc>U tell someone about a very ancient tradition . A scientist claims to be on the point of discovering ;1 cure for cancer. Someone asks you if you like an English course
Write an appropriate commcnc for each of the situations in exercise 31 .1 using che idiom you chose. l This c:i.r really is ......................................................................................................................................................... . 2 People have heen doing this every spring ................................................................................... ..................................... . . 3 A scientist is ........................................................................................................................................................ . 4 I've only been to a ~ouplc of lessons ......................................................................................................................................... . 5 Jin1's .spending money ......................................................................................................................................................... . 6 There's never been rain like this ..................................................................................................................................................... .

3 I .3

Rewrite the undcrhnecl part of each sentence with an idiom. 1 2 3 4

5 6 7

8 9

31.4

I

Some time soon we will inevitably discover life on other planets. I think th e main point is chat you can never trust a politician. l never learnt the pi::ino as ::i. child, so I'm solvin~ that problem now by taking lessons. Looking ar just the next few years, the economic siru
These idioms involving time are not on the lefc-hand page. Using a dictionary if necessary, see if you can find the missing prepositions. Then choose che most suitable paraphrase.

l 1 felt as if l w·e.s ... a dmt '"'<'.rp as 1 sat in the ancient cottage miking tO the 0ld man. a) rime was passing very slowly b) J felt as if I had gone bm.:k in time to a different era 2 My dad can remember the first home computers, but that was ... my ti me. a) when I was too young to use one b) before l was born 3 I h
English Idioms in Use

71

32 A

Time 2: clocks and frequency Clocks I time passing If you ...

then you ...

work against the clock to get something done/finished

work fast because you only have limited time

do something in no time at all

do it very quickly

call it a day

decide to finish (usually finish working)

don't have a minute to caJI your own

are very busy indeed

do something there and then (or then and there)

do it immediately, right at that moment

get up I start at the crack of dawn

start very early in the morning

Jake worked against the dock to get the report finished before the meeting. The homework is very easy. You'll be able to do it in no time at all. I'm real\y tired. Let's call it a day now and come back t o it next week. Ever since the twir:ts were born, I haven't had a minute to call my own.

If a new idea is suggested, Allan is always keen to try it out there and then. As our plane was leaving at 8 a.m., we had ro get up at the crack of dawn to be at the airport on time.

B

Frequency These idioms refer to how often {or how rarely} something happens.

C

idiom

meaning

once in a lifetime

never likely to happen again

once in a blue moor'I

very rarely

once and for all

finally and definitely

off and on I on and off

sometimes, but not regularly or continuously

from time to time

sometimes, but not regularly

nine times out of ten

almost always

RARELY

!

M1RE FREQUENTLY FREQUENTLY

Other time idioms If something goes/works/runs like clockwork, it happens exacd y as planned and without problems.

If you do something I start from scratch, you go right back to the beginning and start again.

I 72

Wherever possible, put groups of idioms onto a scale, like the frequency scale in B above. You could use scales for idioms connected with siz.e, feelings, difficulties, etc.

English Idioms in Use

Exercises 3 2. I

Complete each of these idioms. l 2 3 4 5

32.2

It runs like .... .. ................................................................... ......................... . We set off at the crack ................................................................................................ . We were working against ...................................................................................................... . I've had enough. Let's call ...................................................................................................... . It happens this way nine ...................................................................................................... .

Match each idiom on the left with the sentence on the right which best reflects its meaning. 1 there and then 2 once in a blue moon 3 in no time at a ll 4 off and on 5 doesn't have a minute to call her own

32.3

Bill plays golf occasionally, but not often. Paula looks after three kids and h as a full-time job. The doctor examined rne immediately. I only see Patrick very rarely. The new house was built very quickly.

Complete these idioms with prepositions.

1 2 3 4 5 6

................................................... scratch once ................................................... a lifetime once and ................................................... all ................................................... time ................................................... time work .................................................. the clock nine times ...................................................................................................... ten

32.4

Choose four of the idioms from exercise 32.3 and write a sentence for each one to illustrate its meaning.

32.5

Rewrite the underlined part of each dialogue with an idiom. 1 A: B: 2 A: B: 3 A: B: 4 A: B: 5 A: B:

Do you go and see your mother and father very often? Well, occasionallv, but not on a regular basis. Should we wait and do it as and when we need to? No, I think we should do it now, so that we never need to do it again. Shall we try and speak to Mr Sanders a bout it? Well, we can try, but on almost every occasion he's too busy to meet anyone. The boss wants this report by Friday! Well, we'll just have to work very fast ro get it finished by then. Do you want to go on working a bit longer? No, I've had enough. Let's fini sh now.

' It must be the crack o f dawn.'

English Idioms in Use

73

The elements Earth

B

idiom

meaning

He's the salt of the earth.

a very good and honest person

She'd go to the ends of the earth to save her child.

do anyth ing possible

The royal couple were run to ground in Wales.

discovered after a lot of searching

All my warnings fell on stony ground.

were ignored

Air If you pluck a number out of the air, you choose o ne at random. If someone blows hot and cold, t hey somerimes seem tO like someone or something and sometimes don't so that others arc confused about ho w they really feel. If you get wind o f something, you hear i\1formation that others hoped to keep secret. If you sec how I which way the wind is blowing, you decide to see how a situation develops before making up your mind about it.

C

Fire TAA!:jO. i s ~ with fi.re 1 , o..greW'lg to 90 wt. wi.t11 Rick. RtAmoors c.lboot. his violent. temper ho.ve. bee.n spno.dl.ng like. 1111i.Ld.,.fire2 ever since he. moved, to the. o.rw... Of

2

go ing round very quickly witho ut thinking because they are

normally used in continuous tenses} 3

know how mtAdi t:ri.Ath there. is in the. rtAmru rs. However, !:jOO can't. heLp thinking tho..t. ttie.re's l'IO smoke. wi.thOCAt

4

An!:jhow , d..on't. d.d.d.. f,Au tt> ti1e.

u-i.tici6ing Rick in front. keener on him .

74

do ing something tha t could be da ngerous (play in this idio m is

coorse., most. people. some.times s~ things in tne. 11ea.t of the. momwtl tho..t. they d..o not. rwll!:I me.o..n o..nd.. I d..on't.

fire.4 .

D

1

flo..me:6/fire.5 b!:j

of TAA!:jO. o..s !:jOt.4 'LL

on~ mo.l:: e. her

----.......---

..-.-

5

angry o r excited if people are saying something is true a nd you don 't kn ow w hether it is true or not, it pro ha hly is true do someth ing to ma ke a bad

situation worse

Water idiom

meaning

in deep water

in a difficult situation which is hard to deal with

out of your depth

in a situation that you do not have the knowledge or skills to deal with

jump I throw someone in at the deep end

do or make someone do something difficult without giving them any help

in hot water

in a situation where people are angry with you

be between the devil and the deep blue sea

have to choose between two equally difficvlt options

be a drop in the ocean

be a very small amount in comparison to what is needed

Engfish Idioms in Use

Exercises 33.1

Macch each idiom on the left with its definition on the right.

1 get wind of something 2 go to the ends of the earth 3 spread like wildfire 4 be in deep water S be a drop in the ocean 6 blow hot and cold 7 see how the wind is hlowing 8 add fuel to the flames

33.2

m ove very fast be an insignificant part of something observe hov.; a situation is developing make a difficult situation worse be in a difficult situation hear about something secret react in d ifferent, unpredicrahle ways do everyth ing yo u can

Rewrite each sentence with an idiom. Use the keyword in brackets.

1 You'll be fine ·w orking for someone like that - he's a very decent man. (EARTH) 2 Unfortunately, no one paid any arcention to my a dvice. (GROUND). 3 Unfortunately, her angry words have only made the situat:i()n worse . {FUEL) 4 I think Rosie must be in trouble - the boss has asked to see her at once. (WATER) 5 Lance doesn't really have the experience to cope with his new jo b. (DEPTH) 6 Spreading rumours like that is a risky thing to do. (FIRE) 7 C hoose a number at random and multiply it by 3. (AIR) 8 The police were unable to find where the escaped convicts were hiding. (GROU1 D)

33.3

Puc the words in order and make sentences. 1 like I T he I of I news I v, ildfi re I spread I their I di vorcc 2 the I the I sea I devil I blue I berween I I' m I deep I and 3 no I fi re I There I smoke I is I w ithout 1

4 heat I the I of I Don't I anything I moment I in I say I the 5 and I I I the I cold I hor I he I way I hlows I hate 6 the I thrown I w hen I I I I I university I end I was I in I deep I started I a t

33.4

Which idioms do these pictures make you think of?

1

33.5

Look at the different idioms relating to earth, air, fir e and water both in this unit and in Unit 42. Which abstract concepts do each of these elements seem to represent in the English mind? Here are some more idioms connected with the elements. Look them up in your dict ionary. Write a definition and then write the idioms in sentences of your own. not set the world on fire go up in smoke it's all water under the bridge pour cold water on something the tide is turning make waves

English Idioms in Use

75

34 A

B

Colour Red idiom

meaning

example

red tape

official rules and bureaucracy that make it difficult to do something

There's a great deal of red tape involved in getting a work permit.

be in the red

have a negative amount in your bank balance

I can't afford a holiday this year: I'm SOO pounds in the red.

catch someone red-handed

catch someone at the moment they are doing something wrong

He was caught red-handed stealing money from the cash register.

a red herring

something unimportant that takes attention away from the main subject

Then he started talking about the cost of a new computer, which was a red herring. because we've got plenty of computers.

Blue 1 argued with Tim till 1 was blu.e in the face, but he wouldn't listen. [say the same thing many rimes, bur someone refuses to listenJ I think there's blue blood in h er family; h er great-grandmother was a Russian princess. [belonging t o rhe highest social class I aristocratic] Blue-collar workers at the local car factory were on strike for six weeks. [workers who do

physical work, especially in factories} (See white-collar in D below.)

C

D

Green example

meaning

I was green with envy when she got the job.

very envious

My mother's got green fingers. Everything she plants in the garden grows well.

is a very good gardener

The boss has given the project the green light.

given permission for something to start

Our house is in the greeri belt, s.o no other houses. can be built near it.

countryside around a town or city which is protected from building development

Black, white and grey 1

~-cDt.UAr

lllOl'lcers 1 oJ; /;he. t-lir1l9e. ca.r fo..cl.or!.:J 'nel.ve. 9011e. 011 strike. over P°'!:j o.ncL conciilions . The. uni.on 51J.!:l5 mAA1l9emenc ho.s bro~e.n o.n 0-9rewie.nt, o.ncL it wo.nl;s Cl. new one. in bLcid: ~ 111hi!e.2 • The. mo.nll9eme.nc SIJ.!:l5 thoJ; the. 1l9rW\'le.nc i.s Cl. ~ ~ tho..t muse be. ma.d.e dM.r in proper ~wssi.ons. ~while, the. .fod.or~ ownex-s, the M.etsdlott (.o('(lp
___

76

EngltSh Idioms in Use

.,_,

------~--

2

3

4

workers who work in offices, not doing physical work written, nor just a spoken agreement something that is a problem, and is not very clear because there are no rules something which has no bottom, and everything put into it just disappears

Exercises 34.1

Match each newspaper headline with its text. 1 HEALTH SERVICE BUDGET JUST A BLACK HOLE, SAYS MINISTER

2 GOVERNMENT PROMISES TO DEAL WITH GREY AREA OF INTERNET LAW 3 GREEN BELT ROUND LIVERPOOL EXTENDED

4 BLUE-BLOOD CHlLDREN NO MORE lNTELUGENT THAN OTHERS, SAY SClENTISTS

c

A

B

Any claim to the contrary simply

There was a real need to protect the environment from further damage, the Director of Planning said.

could not be proved, said Doctor Wills, one of the team who investigated twenty upper-class families .

lt was not at all clear what the

Every year, more and more money simply disappears, without any real results in terms of improvements, she said.

situation was, and it was now time for governments to co-operate to clarify things.

)

34.2

Answer these questions. 1 2 3 4 5

34.3

Which colour workers work in offices and which ones do physical work? What colour are you if you wish you had something someone else has? What colour are you if you repeat something, but rhe other person pays no attention? What colour is your bank balance when you have spent more money than there was in it? What colour light do you see when someone gives you permission to do something?

Use the idioms from exercise 34.2 to complete these sentences. 1 I was absolutely .................................. with .................................. when she won a trip to Los Angeles. 2 I'm 750 pounds .................................. the .................................. , and the bank has asked me to pay it back immediately. 3 The .................................. -.................................. workers are on strike, but the office staff are still working. 4 You can talk to her till you're .................................. in the .................................. ; she won't listen. 5 If the city authorities .................................. the .................................. light to the new conservation pro ject, it will begin next year.

34.4

Rewrite the underlined part of each sentence with an idiom . 1 I want to see a contract in w ritten form, not just an informal agreement. 2 I wanted to apply for a visa, but a friend told me there are so many forms to fill in and complicated rules, so I've decided to forget it. 3 My new house has a big garden, but I'm no good with pla nts, so I'll probably never do any gardening. 4 She was caught just as she was stealing food from the school kitchen. 5 He's always introducing unimportant points into the discussion which distract evervbody frgm the main argument.

English Idioms in Use

77

Games and sport A

Ball games 1

1
~Wtt.ci. li-ie.

boJl, roll.l.ng 1

b!j t.e.Uing yot.< wl1ru; 1 tnink ()(Ar c.ompo.U. i6 i.l'I ~r ctlU.'rlf . Dcm't forget tl-\tU. wr livlll. COfl'p~s o.re. &n U\e.. W1L3 mci if we. d.on't, iU.l quickly
..

B

2

1 4

5

6

started an activity and encouraged others to jo in in you have to do something now before any progress can he made quick to undersrand and react on o ur ovvn initiative, without being asked to by anyone else co-opecace in order w achieve something (usually used in a negative context) in a fai r situation

Cards If you play your cards righ t, you behave in the right way to achieve what yo u want. It is informal and is often used in rhe expression If (you) play (your) auds right, .... lf you put/lay your cards on the table, you tell someone honestly wh at you think or what you plan to do.

If you pass the buck, you blame someone o r make them responsible for something that must he done nexr {from an object used in the card game poker). lf you follow suit, you do the same a s everyone else has just done. (This is a rderence to playing the same s uit, i.e. hearts, diamonds, spades or clubs, in cards.)

If you call someone's bluff, you make someone prove that what they are saying is true or prove that they will really do what they say they will do, 6ecause you don't believe them. To call someone's bluff in a card game is to force them to show you their cards.

C

7S

Miscellaneous spot"ts and games sport or game

idiom

meaning

swimming

t ake the plunge

do something important or difficult that you've been thinking of doing for a long tirne

board games

go back to square one

go back to the beginning of a project, because previous attempts have failed

archery

be wide of the mark

be wrong or miss what you were trying co hit

horse-riding

do something on the spur of the moment (spur = metal on boot which makes horse go faster)

do something suddenly, without planning

tarot cards (used for fortune-telling)

be on the cards

be likely to happen

gambling

your best bet

the best thing you can do to achieve the result you want

roulette

whe n the chips are down (chips =gambling pieces)

when you are in a difficult situation, especially one which tests whether you can trust people

English Idioms in Use

Exercises 3 5. l

Which idioms do these pictures make you think of?

4

2

I

51 6

9

8

II

IZI

1!5

lb

\

0

Match the beginning of each sentence on chc left with its ending on the right.

J 2 3 4

If you play you r cards right,

When the chips ~nc clown, The ba ll is in their courr, If you sign the contract, 5 On the spur of the mo ment 6 The children picked Mother some flowers 7 Going by tra in r<.lther than bus or car

35.3

"(

I

10

131 llj.

35 .2

'3

...,

off their own b
Complete each sentence with an idiom from the box. a leve\ playing field put his cards on the table on the ball on the cards pass the buck

follow suit call his bluff start the ball rolling

off his own bat

Lee's ask Pete for advice - he's usually ..................................................................................................

2 The government a lways t ries to ................................................... ............... ....................... ......... when there are economic problems, saying the previous regime is to blame. 3 I'd like you each to tel l us v•.rhy you have decided to do a creative writing course; Marie, would }'OU ..................................................................... .......................... ..... , please? 4 Applicancs all have to agree to the same conditions for the interview in order ro ensure

5 • o o ne asked him to help - he d id it ........................... ..................................................................... . 6 If yo u keep your thi ngs tid y, the others tnay ................................................................................................ . 7 It is still ............................................................. .................................... . rhat I'll get a contract fo r the job. 8 He's heen very fnrnk and has ...................................................................................................... ; now we'll have ro do the same. 9 He claims he can speak fl uent Japanese; let's ..................... ............................................................................ and invite him to dinner with our Japancst: guests.

I

Can you find any idioms related to your favourite sport or game? You might be able to find some by looking up keywords relat ing to that sport or game in a good English-English dictionary or a dictionary of idioms. For example, if you are interested in horse-riding. you might look up horse. saddle, reins.

English Idioms in Use

79

Animals I: describing people In this unit and in Unit 37 we look at idio ms connected with anima ls. Here we look at ways of describing people and their actions. In Unit 3 7 we look at usi ng animal idioms to describe situations.

Animal names These idioms are based on compound nouns related ro animals. A person who ...

is ...

is a dark horse

someone who is clever or skilful in a way that no one knew or expected

is a lone wolf

someone wno does not mix socially with other people

is a cold fish

someone who is not very friendly and does not show their feelings

is/acts as a guinea pig / 191111 prg ·

someone who acts as a subject in an experiment or t rial of something

is a party animal

someone who loves parties and socialising

would love to be a fly on the wall

someone who would love to be present to see an important private or secret event

Note also: There was a fly-on-the-wall documentary on TV last n ight about hospital wa iting-rooms. lprngramme filmed in a real-life. situation, sometimes with hidden cameras1

B

People's characters and their actions John 's bark is worse than his bite. [he may seem fierce/rough, but he is not really! You don't need to be afraid of him . He wouldn't hurt a fl y. [is totally harmless and vvould never hurt anyonel Larry's really got the travel bug ever since he won that ho liday in the Caribbean. [a strong desire to u avcl (bug here means virus; the original meaning of bug is a small insect)] She's working very hard for her exams. She's really got/taken the bit between her teeth. [has started to work/act in a very determined way (a bit is a piece of metal put between a horse's teeth to contro l it)} They've given m e free rein to do wh at I like in this new job. !complete freedom (reins are w ha t you hold in you r hands t0 control a horse w hen riding)] Tim: H ow did you know I was gecring married? Linda: A little bird told me. lsaid when someone has rold you a secret, but you do not want to say who] As soon as the meeting was over, we a ll made a beeline for the food. We were so hungry! fwem q uick ly and d irectly ro l I always have butterflies in my stomach just before an exam. [feel very nervous] I made a real pig of myself last n ight, so l'rn not going

tO

cat any lunch today. [ate too much]

I have so much work to do these days. I'm just chasing my tail trying to catch up. fdoing a lot, but it is all pointless I without effect]

80 English Idioms in Use

Exercises 36.1

Which idiom fro m rhe left-hand page can he used to describe ... 1 ... a person w ho has h idden ur unexpected skills or talents char nu une knows abouc? 2 ... a person w ho loves p arries ? 3 ... a person who is che subject of ~n experiment or rrial of someth ing new? 4 ... a person whu is no t very friendly?

36.2

Here are some facts about animals. Which idioms o n the lefr-hand page arc based on them ? 1 When you r1de a horse, it h::ts control the horse.

':l

hit in its mouth, which is a me.tal har that helps you

2 A bee can fly in a straight line hack to a place where ir found food. 3 Wolves usually hum rogether in a gruup or pack. 4 Dogs w ill often hark more out of fear t han out of aggression.

5 Cats and d ogs often run round in circles thinking their tail is running away from them. 6 Pigs have a reputation for eacing a lor of food very quickly. 3 6. 3

Use the idioms from exercise 36.2 ro repeat or sum up whac the first speaker says.

l Jack:

Harry never seems co want to go out with other people. No, he 's a bit of ..................................................................................................... . Liam: Are you b usy these days? 2 Chris: Busy! It's ridiculous\ I try to keep up with things, but rm just P~t:

3 Keith: Dan is in the boss's office again t oday. That's rhc third time this week he's gone w cornplain abour the computers. ~ikc~ Yes, he won't g)ve u p. H e's really got ................. ................................................................................. . . 4 Orla: You seemed to be enjoying your lunch today! Fiona: Yes, I .................................. ................................ ................. ..... ....... I feel so full no\v! 5 Brian: Philip scared everyone yesterday. He looked really angry. Eve: Oh, don't worry abo ut him. H is ..................................................................... ..................... ......... . 6 Alan: Look at Cha rles! H e's already tal king to a gorgeo us girl over ther e! Oh yeah, he a lways .............................................................................................. for the prettiest girl in J oe: the room.

36.4

Complete each of these idioms.

l Big Joe is quite hJrmlcss really, altho ugh he looks tough. He wouldn't ..... ........................................... a ................................................... . 2 I already knew.; about j\\I getting divorced. A ....................................................................................... told me. 3 I hate making a speech tO a big audience. I always get ..........._................................... .. in my

4 lt's a very unusual school. The pupils are ............................... ..... ..... free .. ,............................. ... ... to do just what they like . .5 I really gor the travel ................................................... a fter 1 wcnr on a trek king holiday tu Nepal. I can't wair to go away again. 6 I'd love to be a .................................................. on the .. ........................................... when Nigel tells the boss he's resigning.

English Idioms in Use

81

37

Animals 2: describing situations Cats and dogs In t he 'situation ' box, note how the 'if-clause' tells you whether che idiom is norma lly used with things (something), peop le (you ) or with a n impersonal construction such as there is. situation

idiom

meaning

If something

goes to the dogs

it goes from a good situation/condition to a bad one

If you

let the cat out of the bag

you accidentally tell people a secret I something you shoul
If you

put the cat among the pigeons

you create a crisis or a problematic situation

If there is

not (enough} room to swing a cat

there \s ~ery little room or space somewhere

The country has gone to rhe dogs since the ne\v government took over. We did n't tell a nyone the news, but she [et the cat out of the bag and now everyone k nows.

Kim's report rea ll y put the cat among the pigeons. Now everyone's in a state of crisis. There's not enough room to swing a cat in our flat, so I don't think a party is a good idea .

B

Other animal·related expressions In these dialogues, the second speaker uses an idiom to repeat and sum up the sit uation described by the first speaker.

Ron: Tania:

Everyone is so selfish. They would sell their own mothers to get what they want, and the y don 'r care how much o rher people suffer. Yes, it really is the law of the jungle. It's very depressing.

Ricky:

We shouldn'r even rhink of discu ssing the voting system for the committee. It's very complicared a nd unfa ir in many respects, and could raise huge problems. 1 agree. It's a real can of worms. I chink we should avoid discussing it.

Iris:

If you ask me, it's a waste o f time compla ining to Roberr. H e
Pa r:

notice, no matrer how often you do it or no matter how angry you get. Yes, it's like water off a duck's back.

Mary:

Roger:

We're a ll overworked a nd in a panic. We're trying to solve too many problems, and ending up no r achieving anyth ing! Nancy: Yes, I agree. We're all jusc running round like headless chickens. These are antennae or feelers. Note a lso: I d on't use snail mail these days. E-mail's easier. !the post, often said humorously w hen contrasting ...virh e-mail]

/;

I do n't know if anyone would really wanr a job like this one, bur we could put out feelers and see if a nyone is interested . [make informa l enq uiries; tal k to people un officiall y]

I 82

When recording idioms in your Vocabulary notebook. make notes of typical situations in which they can be used. For example: go to the dogs - typical situation: a restaurant that was very good before is very bad now.

English Idioms in Use

Exercises 3 7. I

Rewrite each sentence w ith an idiom that means the opposite o f the underlined words. 1 There's plenty of room at my house. 2 I'll let you know by e-mail. 3 Peter has not told anvbodv the secret news. 4 The economy is getting better and better. 5 The office staff were working ver y calmlv and efficientlv.

3 7.2

Which idioms do these pictures make you think of?

3 7. 3

M a tch each of the idio ms from exercise 3 7 .2 with one of these sentences. a) What she said has raised some horrible problems which we'd all prefer to forget. h) Oh dear! That is really going to cause huge problems and upset absolutely everybody! c) You can insu lt him a nd be really awfu l to him, but he just never seems to ca re or even notice.

3 7.4

Answer these questions. 1 lf you tell someone a secret, what do you let the cat out of? 2 What can you put out in order to test w hether people are interested in an idea? 3 What kind of law do wi ld anima ls obey?

•

Use a dictionary to find the missing words in these animal idioms if you do no t know them. If you think you know the idioms, write your answers and then check them in a dictiona ry. M ake a note of the meaning o f the idio ms in your Vocabu lary notebook.

37.6

Use the five idioms fro m exercise 3 7.5

37.5

1 2 3 4 5

take the hull hy the ............................. .................... kill rwo birds with one ................................................... at a snail's .................................................. . like a bear with a sore .................................................. . a ................................................... 's breakfast . to

rewrite the underlined parts of this paragraph.

I was trying to fi nish my essay for my English class by the end of the week, but it all seemed to be going very slowly and 1 was not very motivated. So 1 decided to face the situation a nd act positively. I stayed up until after midnight every day fo r four days and worked on my essay. I was tired in the mornings, a nd went round feeling very bad-tempered and irritable a ll day, but, in the end I managed ro do two useful things in one ~Q : I fin ished the essay and I read a number of important books l should have read weeks ago. My last essay was a bit of a mess, but I'm hoping this one will get a better grad e.

I .

Think of two animals which have idioms co nnected with t hem in your language. Then use a dict ionary to see if there are any idioms connected w ith these animals in English.

English Idioms in Use

83

Weapons and war Idioms based on guns and knives If you ...

then you ...

bite tne butlet

face a difficult situation and
jump the gun

do something too soon, before you should do it

stick to your gul'\s

don't let other people change your mind/ideas/principles

look daggers at someone

look at them in a very angry or hateful way

put the knife in

deliberately do or say something really

twist the knife

do o r say something which makes a bad/hurtful situation even worse

h~irtful

to someone

Idioms connected with firing/shooting In these dialogues, the second speaker uses an idiom to repeat part of the question. H enry: Have you ever tried snowboarding? Nigel: No, bur J'd like ro have a shot at it one da y.

C
Now that you're the H ead of Department, do you find people a lways blame yo u immediacely for any problems that arise? Oh yes, I'm in the firing line all the time.

Mick: Rita:

So it's Peter Smith who makes all the imporranr decisions and has all the power? Oh yes, Peter Smith calls the shots these days.

Hilary: fr must h;we been a\\1 ful for you, being in the middle of such a terrible arg ument between Roz and Barbara? Yes, I was really caught in the crossfire; I fo und it very d ifficult. J ane: Aaron: So you think we should wait a nd not ask for the funds yet? Beth: Yes, l think we should hold fire rill the future is more certain.

C

War and fighting in general The village people are up in arms over the plan to bu ild a motorway ve ry near thei r homes. [angry a nd protesting loudly!

Jim's his own worst enemy when it comes to getting pron1otion at work. H e's just so negative about everything. I his own attitude/behaviour will prevent him from reaching his goal] I think you' re fighting a losing battle trying to ger a pay rise. The boss never listens to anyone. [tryi ng to ach ieve somerh ing that you will probably fail to achieve]

I wouldn 't g ive up this job til l yo u're absolutely sure you've got the new one if I were you. You don't want to burn your bridges. \do something that makes it impossible to go back to a siwation you were in before] Joe can be very boring sometimes. H e a lways seems to have an axe to grind. [has a strong view or opinion and wants ro persuade everyone he is correct; no rmall y used critica lly] When ir comes to the crunch, I won't let yo u down. Iw hen a situatio n becomes serious or difficult! I think we've found a chink in his armour. [a weak poinr that we can exploit I rnke advantage of]

84

English Idioms in Use

Exercises 38.1

Complete each of these idiom s.

1 She was looking ................................. at me last night. r wonder what I've done to upset her? 2 Her last remark was so hurtful, especially ~s I was a lready upset. I thi nk she was just trying to ................................ the .................................. even funh~r. 3 I rea ll y ch in k you should .................................. the bu llet, and go an
38.2

What could you say? Using idioms from the left-hand page, tell someon e ...

1 ... who is rrying co persuade rhe teacher to tell you the exam questions before rhe exam takes place that they will not succeed.

2 ... that if a real crisis occurs, you will be t here to support them. 3 4 S 6

38.3

... tha t you yourself arc rhe main problem when it cornes to trying to save 111oncy. ... rhar they will be the one to face all the crit icisms and complaints in their new job. ... that you'd like to cry bungee-iumping <me day if you ever get rhe chance. ... that they should wait before they send a very angry lccter they've written.

Horoscopes often use idioms. Read these horoscop es and then say or write exactly w ha t you wo uld tell a fri end with tha t birth-sign ab out their future, w itho ut using t he idiom s. TAURUS So meone you thought was a good friend will say some thing ve ry hurtful today, and la t e r on will twist the knife e ven further. S tay ca lm and don't lose yo ur tempe r.

38.4

GEMINI Two pe ople yo u like and respect will quarre l today, and you' ll be caught in the crossfire. Try to stay neutral, or you'll risk losing a go od frie nd.

CAPRIC:ORN Someone close to you will try to t e ll you what to do, but it's time you ca lled the shot s, so .don't be afraid to m ake your own d ecisions.

VIRGO You've always tho ught of yourself as a strong, d etermine d person, but someone discovers a chink In your armour and makes life difficult for you.

C hoose the correct answer.

1 If you were up in arms, yo u'd be .... a) hold1ng someone you love b ) protesting strongly c) fee ling cnuch stronger t ha n before

2 If someone puts the kn ife in, they .... a) make an important point b) test the situation before acting c) do or s~y someth ing very damaging

3 If you burn yo ur bridges, yo u .... a) make ir impossible co return ro a former situation

b) get extremely a ngry and violent

c) destroy a good friendship

4

1f you

have an axe:: to gri nd, yo u have ... . l) a serious quarrel w ith someone b) a desir e ro hurt someone c) a strong opinion and you wam to persu~dc people you're right

I

If you can, look at a popular English-language magazine or tabloid newspaper and see if the horoscopes contain idioms. Make a note of any idioms you find, especially for your own star sign.

English Idioms in Use

85

39

Food

A

Appetite If something makes your mouth water, it makes you want to eat ir: One look ar those cakes makes m y mouth water.

If you say char someone has a sweet tooth, you me;'ln rhac r.hey particulary like sweet things. The word appetite can be used to refer to a desire for food or for somerhing other rhan food. In the same way, whet your appetite c<1n he used to mean awaken a desire: C inemas use trailers to w het viewers' appetites and make them want to see the whole fi lrn.

B

Sweet and sour Sweet things arc generall y considered to be parricularl y p leasant and luxurious. The icing on the cake, for example, refers not only to the sugar coating on a cake but also ro something that makes a good situation even better: This troph y is the icing on the cake for Ju lie who h,1s had a great yea r as a tennis player. The expression you can't have your cake and eat it o r you want t o have your cake and cat it is used co refer ro the fact that two good things are impossible to do o r have at the same time: He wants to have his cake and eat it: he wants a well-paid secure job, bur he doesn't want to have to work evenings or weekends.

Sour and hitter genera lly have unpleasant associations in idioms . If an experience leaves a sour taste in your mouth, you have an unp\eas:mt memory of it. If you do something to the bitter end, you see ir through co the end even though ir rakes a long time and is difficult.

C

D

Specific foods idiom

meaning

example

have egg on your face

be lerr feeling stupid or embarrassed because of something you did

You'll have egg on your face if your plan doesn't work!

b e the bestlgreatest thing since sliced bread

be fantastic ('informal)

l love my walkman. For me. it's the best thing since sliced bread.

be your bread and butter

be an activity or job you do co get the money you need

Taxi-driving is his bread and butter though he also writes music.

bear fruit

produce a positive result

At last our work is bearing fruit.

ln the supermarket If you say something o r someone is flavo ur of the mooch, it means t hat char thing or person is very popular. T his is a reference to supermarkets' practice of putting a particu lar flav our of something - Strawberry ice cream, for example - on special offer for a month: Flavour-of-the-month actress, Becci Carr, srars in ronighr's TV drama. The phrase be past or pass one's sd\~by date is often used humorously to refer to a person or thi ng that is not wanted or used any more because they are too old. It refers to the wa y supermarket food is marked with a sell-by date after which the product must be removed from the shelves before it goes bad: I certainly feel as if I've passed my sell-by date this morning!

86

English Idioms in Use

Exercises 3 9. I

What might Jo say in each situation? Match the remarks in the box with the situations. You can't have your cake and eat it. He had egg on his face! I was left with a sour taste in my mouth! It's the best thing since sliced bread! It provides the bread and butter.

1 Jo's husba nd asks her what she thinks of some new computer software she's using. 2 Jo asks her brother how he likes his new, rather boring job. 3 Jo's husband asks her how she felt after a meeting at work \'vhere people said some very unpleasant things to each other. 4 Jo tells her husband about her boss - whom she doesn't like - who made a mistake in some basic figures a t a meeting where all the main company managers \'v·ere present. 5 Jo 's son tells her that he's going ro spend his (nor very large) savings on an expensive new guitar as well as going on a trip to Australia.

3 9. 2

Circle the correct word to complete each sentence.

1 Although it was too slow-moving for my taste, I sat through the film to the bitter I sour I sweer end. 2 Watching that cookery programme on TV has real ly warered I werred I whetted my appetite for trying some new recipes. 3 Al l the effort Mandy has put into training is beginning to bear food I fruit I vegetables. 4 Although the pop group DKl is bargain I flavour I taste of the month at the moment, their popularity is unlikely to last. 5 Grandad was exhausted after his long walk and said he had passed his sell-by day I rime I dare. 6 Sraying in a hotel room that Elvis Presley had once used was rea lly rhe icing on the biscuit I cake I s u~ar. 7 Having such a sweet mouth I tongue I tooth makes it very difficult for her to lose weight. 8 The wonderful smells from the kitchen are really making my eves I mouth I nose water.

39.3

Match an idiom from the left-hand page with each of these definitions.

l love chocolates and cakes 2 be absolutely fantastic 3 be too o ld to be usefu l

39 .4

4 be in an embarrassing position 5 bring about good results 6 make you want something (Give two answers.)

Complete these sentences in any way you like.

] ................~ ...................................................... ..... .......................................................................... is her bread and butter though she still hopes to s ucceed as an actress. 2 ......................................................................................................................................................... always makes my mouth water. 3 ....................................................................................................................................................... seems to be flavour of the month in the pop music world a t the m oment. 4 Kate had egg on her face when ....................................................................... ............ ............................................................... . 5 for me ....................................................................................................... .. ............... is the best thing si nce sliced bread. 6 I hope that ............................................ ........ ................................................................................................. will bear fruit.

I

Look up these food words in a good dictionary: apple, cheese, jam, tea. Find an idiom for each of them and write it in a sentence.

English Idioms in Use

87

Roads A

B

People: character, emotions and relationships example

meaning

Goodbye. I hope our paths cross again soon.

I hope we meet again soon.

I'm really stuck in a rut in this job. I think I'll look for something new. (rut = deep track or mark made by a vehicle on the surface of a road)

In a boring situation, with no hope of excitement. or future prospects.

This computer's driving me round the bend! It keeps crashing each time I try to save my work.

The computer is making me angry and frustrated.

This book is right up your street/alley. It's called 'How to make a million in a year'. (alley = narrow street or lane with buildings on either side)

It's perfect for you; exactly what interests you.

Josh is very middle-of-the-road politically.

Neither left-wing nor right-wing, has no radical views.

Road idioms that comment on situations I think the govern rnent is on the righc/wro11g track these days. [thinking or acting rightly/wrong!. It's an uphill battle/fight/struggle trying to persuade Joe to get a job. [a very difficult task] That restaurant's reall y gone downhill latdy. [it \.Vas good, but is not any longer] She lives right off the beaten track, bur sh e loves the peace and q uiet. [in a very isolated place] The Conservati ve Party is at a crossroads. [at a decisive moment in its hisroryJ T his joh I have now is a complete dead end . [ir has no future I no p rospecrsj

. _./::~~:·'.· ; s~ ~ff) ;' 4''\~ ,/ ,.,-»~.,..,"\ . 7,,,;; -~:' /f\w p

....· ... y ,

,-::~· fi,,:;..~~\Ft

'Ii

~v~1~t 11t..

Ji'' .

\~\-~~ ~y..· ../1\ : ~~;:_,,,·_. Q.~ .·

,... ""

\.\,._,,

~;z~;...

_,d Jlf'~-·· ' ·: ~- (.' .Jv,

be on the right/wrong track

go downhill

at a crossroads

an uphill battle/fight/struggle

off the beaten track

a dead end

I use a bicycle these days to go/get from A to B. [to make si mple/typical journeys ! The new hotel has really put the village on the map. fnow everybody has heard o f the village) Well, it's almost midnight. We should hit the road. fsrarr our journey (home)] Road rage is increasing in many countries. !vio lent inci dents resulting from traffic dispures]

88

English Idioms in Use

Exercises 40. I

Complete ~ach of these idioms from A on the left-hand page. 1 Airlines .......................................... .... me round the ................................................. ! You e<m never get simple infonnacion from them when you phone them up. 2 I don't have any extreme views about anything. I'm quite ..................................................................................................... -the-...................... ............................ . 3 I didn't like her at all, and I hope our .................................................. never ............................................ ... again, to be honest. 4 It's a good idea to change your joh every few years. It's "·cry easy to get stuck ................................................... a .................................................. if ym.,'•e. not careful. 5 This video's ....... ....................... .................. up your ......................................... .... .. . It's all a bout how violins arc made.

40.2

Use the idioms from exercise 40.1 to rewrite the underlined parts of these sentences. 1 Well, it's been nice talking to you. Mayhe we'll sec each other again somewhere. 2 That 1V programme about birds is iust right for vou. You s hould watch ir. 3 Jim is fairly neutral \vhe!l it comes ro environmental issues. 4 The photocopier makes me absolutclv crazy. It always breaks down just yvhen you need it most. 5 1 gave up my job an
40.3

True or false? Tick (.I) the correct box.

l lf someone lives off the beaten track, they live in the miJJle of a city. 2 If a street is a dead end, you can't drive down ic and o ut rhe other

cnJ. 3 Road rage is when people get angry and violent because of problems and arguments while driving.

True

False

CJ

LJ

0

0

0

0

LJ

0

0

0

4 If something is an uph ill struggle, it \ like the pleasant feeling of travelling up a beautiful hill.

5 1f someone is on the wrong track, chey an; dialling a wrong number on a telephone.

40.4

Use idioms from chc left-hand page to ...

1 ... cell someone it's time to start a journey. 2 ... tell someone that the bus is the easiest war to travel round in your area. 3 ... tell someone not to go to the Imperial H otel as it's not as good as it used ro be. 4 ... cell someone that you think what they are going rn do is the right course of action. 5 ... tell someone that a new rock music festival has really made your town famous. 6 ... tell someone that you think your country is at an important and decisive puinr in its history.

I

Think of idioms connected with roads, paths and tracks in your language. Do any of them match the idioms in this unit? If they don't, cry to find out the equivalent expression in English. Use a dictionary of idioms or another good dictionary, or go online to dictionary cambridge.org/idiom'!: rel="nofollow">

English Idioms in Use

89

Houses and household objects A

Home Home is the place w here people feel comfortab le and safe. If you are/feel at home somewhere, yo u are/feel comfortable chcre. If you make yourself ac home, yo u relax and make yourself comfortable. Similarly, if som ething is as safe as houses, it is extremely safe. The im plicacions of whac she had said didn 't come home to me unti l som e da ys later. under stand ir fully]

ll d idn't

Her news reports h ave real ly brought home to m e t he horrors of war. [made me understand, usually something u npleasant]

B

Doors and fences Doors give you a ccess to som ewhere new. They don't pay me very we ll for the work I do the re a t the moment, but at lease l've got my foot in the doo r. [started working a t a low level in an organisation becau se you wa nt t o get a better job in rhe same organisation later o nj

11

Doo rs have keys and h a ndles. Fe male voters hold the key to the party's s uccess in the e lection. [provide the expla natio n for something you co uld n or previously und erst and! H er father flew off the handle when she said she wasn't

going to return co university. lreacted in a very angry w ay (informal)]

A fence m a rks the bound a r y hetvYeen two a reas o f land.

If yo u sit on che fence, you de lay making a decision o r fail to choose b etween two alternatives. Us ually in the end, though, you have to come down on one side or the

other. \make a choice}

C

Household objects 1

ALf '1i.t the. c.eilUlg/roof1 t¥i is morning for no rw..son oJ; dll. . I t¥1009ht he.'<4mmg the. canc:lle. e.t.t both e.nci.s3 b~se. of his e.xAAls. I1m gl.o..Gl s he. pcA.t mt- in f:tle. pi.GW.re.4 be.GOJ,( se. now I c.o.n und..ersta..nci wh!:j he. re.o..c.te.
---------------------.._____-v__

j

90

English Idioms in Use

reacted angrily got up in a had mood a nd has stayed in a bad mood all day 3 staying up late and getting up early 4 explained the situation to me - picture also means situation in get the picture [understand the situation (info rmal )] a nd keep someone in the picture [keep someone informed] s copy something someone e lse does, o ften in order to gain an advantage that they have 2

Exercises 4I.I

Match the beginning of each idiom I sitting on the 2 getting your foot in the 3 getting o ut of bed o n the wrong 4 flying off the 5 putting someone in t he 6 feeling at 7 burning the candle at both

41.2

on

the left with its ending on the right. ho me ha ndle fence picture ends door

side

Answer these questions.

1 ls a decisive person likely to sit on the fence or come down on one side or the o ther ?

2 If a student takes a holiday job in a big company in o rder to get a foot in the door, w hat d oes tha t suggest a bo ut the student's pla ns ? 3 In what circumstances do people o ften burn the candle a t both e nds? 4 Are you more likely to say that something impo rtant o r something trivial is brought home to you ? 5 Do yo u think someo ne would be pleased or displeased if you took a leaf out of their boo k? 6 If you keep someone in the picture, a re you being honest to t hem o r not? 7 H ow do you feel if yo u get out of bed on rhe w rong sid e? 8 If someo ne hits the ro of, w ha t sor t of moo
41.3

Which idioms do these pictures make you think of?

3

41 .4

Rewrite the underlined part of each sentence with an idiom.

1 It will ta ke some rime before the impact o f the new legislation is fu llv felt by the person in the street. 2 Sophie will make herself ill if she goes on a llowing herself so little sleep. 3 Before you ta ke o ver the p roject, I' ll let yo u know exactly what the situation w ith it is. 4 The police think that DNA testing wi ll provide the evidence necessa ry fo r proving who the murderer must have been . S Jim's been in a rea ll y bad mood all da v. 6 The government ca n't m ane rnaking a decision for ever. 7 Ro b gets really a ngry a t the slightest provocation these da ys. (Give two answers.) 8 Jf you want to get fit, why do n't yo u d o as Ka tie has done and join a gym ?

41.5

Write sentences using six of the idio ms from the left-hand page about your own life or experiences.

English Idioms in Use

9I

Nature In this unit we look at idioms connected w irh the earth, the planers a nd the a ir, and other basic elements.

The air The air (or sky) is often seen as something associated with feelings and emotions, or is in some way connected with unknown or foru re events. Look ar these new spaper clips.

T

here was a sense of relief in th e air 1 when the 'not gu'ily ' verdict was announced.

The discussions have not solved rhe probl em, but

Whether the government will c hange the law on football hooliganism is up in the air3 at t he moment.

thc:y have: helped to d ear the air 5 to a certain 1

The news has come as a b reath o f fresh air 2 for students worried about the high level of fees.

Mr Watson said the news had come out of the blue 4 and it had shocked everyone. He ~

--..

~~

2 3 4

-..-r--

5

B

everyone could feel it something new I more exciting undecided completely unexpectedly (the blue : : : the sky) make bad feelings benveen people disappear

The earth, planets, ground Idioms abour the earth often refer to the ground beneath our fret and to being practica l/rca !istic.

If ...

this means ...

someone is a down-to-earth person

they are very practical

you come (back) down to earth with a bang

something brings you suddenly back to reality

an idea or plan/project bites the dust

it fails/dies

someone is (living) on another plane t

they have no awareness of the real world

you are ove r the moon about something

you are extremely happy

something is/hits rock bottom

it is as low as it can possibly be/go

you find out how the land lie s

you see how the situation is before you get involved

a person is uppe r-crust*

they belo ng to a very high social class

* The crust is the top surface of the earth; under it are other la} ers of very hoe rocks. 1

Note aiso: If you are in the dark or someone keeps you in the dark, yo u are not told important things that other people know.

If you are in your element, you are happy/relaxed in the situation because you arc good at rhe things it involves.

lf you are o ut of your elemcnc, you feel unhappy/uncomfortable hecause you are n ot good at the tasks involved. (element here refers to the four basic narurci l elements: earrh, water, fi re and air)

92

English Idioms in Use

Exercises 42.1

Complete each of chese idioms. I The news . ........ ................................... out of the blue. No one was expecting it.

2 What a crazy idea! T chink she's living .............................. ................ another planer. 3 The price of computers has .................................................. rock bottom this year. 4 1 think we should ....... ........................................ out how the land lies before we decide. 5 They've ......................................... ..... me in the dark about their future plans. Twish they'd tell me.

42.2

Match each question on the left with che most likely response on the right. 1 ls Anna Conda really <1. prinl'.css? Yes, ir bit rhe dust. 2 I guess he \ vas delighted with the ne\.vs? Yes, he was in his clement. 1

3 4 5 6

42.3

So your new project fo iled attcr all? Did your long talk with David help at al l? Did your da
No, he's very down-to-earth. I don't know, but she's very upper-crust . Yes, he was over the moon. \Xld l, it did help to dt:ar the a ir a bit.

Rewrite the underlined part of each sentence with an idiom. 'I You could feel a sense of fea r in everron e when the planes came overhead. 2 lt reany is something new and exciting for us chat the company has decided ro move to London. We are all bored with working in a small town. 3 Sally was brought suddcnlv back to re<1litr when rhc bank m a n ager rold her she had spent all her money. 4 Things are very undecided at the moment. J'll let you knmv when a decision is made.

42.4

Answer these questions. 1 Think of one person you know who is down·to·earrh and anotht:r person yo u know who is just living on another planet. In what ways are they so? 2 When was the last time you felt over the moon, and why? 3 Think of an occasion when someone you hadn't seen for a very long time suddenly appeared out of the blue. 4 Think of one situation where you cou ld personally say 'I'm in my element here!'

42.5

II

The underlined idioms below are not on the leh-hand page. Try to \vork ouc the meaning of the idioms from context. If you can't, then check their meaning in a good gener al dictionary or in a dictionary of idioms. 1 2 3 4

1 was sha kin~ like a lqf as I waited ro hear if I had passed the exam. J s lept like a log last night. lt was so quiet and the bed was very comfortable. I hate making big decisions. I usually prefer to just go with t he flow. It goes against the grain for him ever ro say he was wrong. It is not in his character tO admir rh3t he has made a mistake.

I

Look up sun. stor(s). moon. rock(s). sea and mountains In a good dictionary or a dictionary of idioms. What idioms do you find? Write the idioms in sentences which illustrate their meaning. .

.

.

:·

.

.

.

"·.

.

.

.·

. '• . . .

·.

English Idioms in Use

93

43 A

B

94

Boats and sailing Boats idiom

meaning

example

push the boa t out

spend a lot of money, usually because you are celebrating

Bill was happy to push the boat out for his daughter's wedding.

rock t he boat

do or say something that causes problems, usually when you try to change a situation that other people do not want to change

Party members were told firmly not to rock the boat by publicly criticising t he government just before the election.

m iss the boat

be too late to get something you want

Can I still get tickets for the concert or have I already missed the boat?

burn o ne's boat slbr\dges

do something that makes it impossible for you to go back to the situation you were in before

Don't sell your house to finance your business - that would be burning your boats.

be in t h e sa m e boat

be in the same, usually difficult, situation

It's a pity you can't use a dictionary in your exam. but at least everyone's in the same boat.

idiom

meaning

example

steer clea r of

avoid someone o r something because it is dangerous for you

I'd try to steer clear of Maggie if I were you - she's trouble!

sail close t o t he wind

take risks that could cause problems or danger (usually used in the continuous)

You're sailing a bit close to the wind by speaking to the boss like that!

b e plain sailing

be very easy

I was a bit apprehensive about doing so much in just one day. but it was all plain sailing.

be in t he doldr ums (doldrums = area of sea with no wind)

(of a business) be not very successful; (of a person) feel sad and without energy

His business has been in the doldrums for several years now.

put/stick your oar in (oar = long piece of wood used for rowing a boat)

join a discussion when the other participants do not want you to (informal)

I hope John has the sense not to stick his oar in at tomorrow's meeting.

show someone t he rope s

show someone how to do a job or activity

As it's your first day at work, Sue will show you the ropes.

be a ne rvous w reck (wreck = boat that's been destroyed, e.g. by hitting rocks)

be mentally and physically exhausted

I'm a nervous wreck after a day with those terrible children.

clear the d e cks (deck::: flat open area on boat)

get ready for actio n

We'd better clear the decks before we paint the room.

be (all) at se a

be confused

I'm all at sea with this computer.

Sailing

English Idioms in Use

I

Exercises 43.1

Answer these questions. I If you miss the boat, have you lose a means of transport or
43.2

Complete each of these idioms with one word. 1 T h ings here are very Jifficult, but at least we're all in the .................................................. boar. 2 It'll be hard clim bing the mountain, but should be .................................... ............ sailing on the way

-,

43.3

down. 3 Everyone would like to dance, so let's clear the ................................................ and ma ke as much space as we cart in the middle of the floo r. 4 Speaking t o the press nbout v11har's going on is ................................................. a bit close to the w ind. 5 J know the party is costing a lot, hut you have to ................................................. the boat out occasionally. 6 J oe's been in the .. ........................................ .... ever since he 1osr his job . 7 Trust Simon to stick his ................................................ in - he never knows when it's better to say nothing. 8 J d on't trust Pa ul - I'd steer ............................................ ... o f h im if I were you. Here are some more idioms based on sailing concepts. Match each idiom on the left with its explanation on the right. (Note that tack direction taken in sailing in order to catch the

=

wind.) 1 change tack 2 3 4 5 6

43.4

know the ropes try a diffe rent tack learn the ropes be a quivering wreck steer a middle course

he familiar wit h how th ings are done be in a weak mental or physical condition act in a way that is not extreme take a different course of action get to know how to do things attempt to do something in a different way

Complete each sentence with an idiom from the left-hand page or from exercise 43.3. 1 Leave things as they are - it's better n ot to .......................................................................................... . (Give two answers.) 2 Everything must seem scrnnge at first, but you'll soon ............................................................................................ . 3 Finish your course before you go travelling - there's no point in ...................,.............................................,... 4 Parents usually try ro ........................................................................ . between leniency and strictness. 5 Sally's very miserable - do you kno w why she's ............................................................................................ ? 6 The new boy is bound to be feeling ............................................................................................ on his first day a t school - perhaps you can help. 7 Things are not worki ng out - let's ............................................................................................ . (Give two answers.) 8 I hate job interviews - I'm always ......................................................................... ............. before rhcm.

English Idioms in Use

95

Science, technology and machines Engines and cars Look at these conversations. The second speaker uses an idiom co agree with what the first speaker says. Eva: Lars:

We'll have co get ready to start work on the new system. Yes, we'll have ro get into gear, I suppose. (like putting a car into gear before driving)

Ron:

I hare having Lisa in my car. She always tells you what you're doing wrong, or w hen

the lights have gone red, and so on. Peter: Yes, she's a real back-seat driver, isn't she? Olga:

I think we've spent over the budget these last three months. We'll have to be more

careful. Mick: Yes, we'll have ro p ut the brakes on our spending; we've paid our some large sums. Hugh: Things are going well these days, aren't they? Everything's wo rking quietly and smoothly. Ben: Yes, things are ticking over nicely. (A ca r engine ticks over when it is running quietly, hut the car is n ot moving.) Will: Mia: Jim :

Russ:

Well, it was quire an angry meeting, bur 1 think it vvas good that people could just say exactly what t hey were thinking and get angry if they wanted to. Yes, l think it was good that they were ahle to let off steam. (like a steam engine which lets off steam to reduce the high pressure that has bu ilt up)

I'm g lad we organised our own travel instead of going w ith a group, aren't yo u? Yes, l'm glad we decided to go under our own steam.

Electricity, phones and radio

If you ...

this means ...

get your lines/wires crossed

there is a misunderstanding between you and someone

are on the same wavelength as someone (wavelength= fixed position on a radio band, e.g. fMIAM)

you view the world or think in the same way as them

blow a fuse/gasket (gasket= kind of seal in an engine)

you lose your temper and react very angrily to an event

give someone a bu:z:z

you phone them (informal)

Other idioms from the world of technology and machines The government is back-pedalling over its plans ro lower taxes. [is beginning to say the opposite of what it said before, like pushing the. pedals of a bicycle backwards\ His comments really put/threw a sp:mncr in the works. [spoilt something, e.g. a plan, or prevented it from succeeding] She always buys the latest, state-of-the-an computer. lone which has all the newest features] Plans for a new bridge across the ri ver are in the pipeline. (are being discussed/prepared but are not public yet]

96

English Idioms in

Use

Exercises 44. l

Advertisements often use idioms to se\l products. Match each slogan with its text.

3 State-of-the-art digital technology in your home

- 1 Want to let off steam tonight?

4 Give us a buzz for lower bills

2 We're on your wavelength

A

B

Local Radio is changing, and here at Homestyle FM we believe you'll want to listen to us with our new programmes for the autumn.

c

-

.

longer broadcast in the traditional way.

Buy a new TV set now and you will be ready for the changes.

- --..-_

.....

-----·.; --

_...

- ---

-·-........---~

...

D At Broadne.t.com we. offer more ,

chatrooms where you can say what you think about everything than any other Internet Service Provider. ,-..._

44.2

- -- .. -

By 2005, most TV channels will no

.. - -

Are you paying too much for your mobile phone? Call us on 07965 34352 and find out how you can pay 'ess.

-

....... _

....

. - ------~--

......-.~---

__...-........_..-.

Agree with what A says. Complete each response with an idiom from the left-hand page. 1 A: Her e-mail caused real problems for our plans, didn 'r it? B: Yes, it really ............................................................... ............... .. ...................................................................... . 2 A: 1 think George is beginning to change his mind abour join ing o u r comm ittee. R: Yes, he seems to be ...................................................................................................................................................... 3 A: Wow! Eric really lost bis temper last night, didn't he? B: Yes, he absolutely ................................................................................................... ............................................ ...... . 4 A: Good. Things seem ro be nice and q uier and working smoothly. B: Yes, everyrhing seem s tO be iust quietly ...................................................................................................................... . 5 A: It seems there was a misunderstanding between us. B: Yes, l think we ................................ ........ ............................................................................... ........................ .

6 A: 1 think we should give her a ea\\ this evening. B: Yes, it's probably a good idea to ... ..................... ........................................ ............................................................. ......... .

44.3

Which idioms do these pictures make you think of?

44.4

Rewrite each sentence with an idiom from exercise 44.3. 1 It wok us a long time to really start to do our work properly and efficiently. 2 Brad is one of those people who always knows the road better than the person driving. 3 There are plans for a new rai lway, but it w ill be some years before the project srnrrs.

44.5

with a preposition or particle. 1 We're .................................. the sa me wavelength . 2 I'd prefer ro go ................................. m y own steam.

Complete each sentence

3 Everyone needs to let .................................. steam occasionaHy. 4 You've really put a spanner ................................. t he works. 5 Business is ricking ...... ............... ........... nicely t hese days. 6 We'll have ro put the b rak es .................................. with regard to h ow much we spend.

English Idioms in Use

97

45

Finger, thumb, hand Idioms connected with the hand can refer to ownership, control, acting and exercising skil\s.

Idioms based on the fingers In these conversations, the second speaker repeats the meaning of the

idio~ in bold.

Alison: Rosa had aH the statistics at her fingertips. Geoff: Yes, J was amazed she was able to quote them immediately. Ron: Pat: Ben:

Liz:

I'm getting my exam results tomorrow. Keep your fingers crossed for me! Yes, l will. I'll be wishing yo u good luck all day and hoping you do well. 1 think he's put his finger on the problem. Yes, l th in k he's identified exactly \ovhat's wrong.

Mick: Jane never lifts a finger a t home. Nancy: I know. She never helps our. She's so lazy. Larry: Lily:

He got his fingers burnt in a financial deal in 1998. Yes, 1 know. He suffered badly and lost a lot o f money ar the time.

Oscar: Paula has really got green fingers , hasn't she? Ruth: Yes, everything she p lanes in her garden seems

to

grow beautifully.

Idioms based on the thumb and the whole hand

98

example

meaning

The plan has been given the thumbs up/down.

has been approved (up) or rejected (down)

That office block sticks/stands out like a sore thumb next to such a beautiful park.

looks different from everything else in its environment (in a negative sense)

As. a rule of thumb, always write down the c.ode.

as a general, useful rule

The boss has given me a free hand at work_

allows me to take whatever action I want to

Ed can turn his hand to any job round the house.

has the skill/ability to do unfamiliar jobs without any previous experience

Things got out of hand and the police arrived.

got out of control

I don't really have any first-hand knowledge of nature conservation.

direct I from experience

That restaurant has changed hands twice.

been sold to a new owner

I have my hands full with three children.

am very busy I have a lot of things to do

I'd like to try my hand at scuba-diving one day.

try it for the first time

\ p\ay golf occasionally iust to keep my hand in.

in order not to \ose my ski\\lknow\edge

I always like to have a dictionary to hand when I'm reading English newspapers.

available; nearby

Give me a hand with this big box. will you?

help me, e .g. to carry/lift it

I've washed my hands of the whole project as it caused so many problems.

stopped being involved in

English Idioms in Use

I :1

:I

Exercises 45.1

Complete these idioms with hand (s) , finger(s) or thumb(s). I r have my ................................................ full at the office these d~ ys. f'm doing two p eop le's jobs. 2 I'm sorry, but t he plan's been given the ................................... ... ..... down by the committee. 3 She's been given a free .................................................. ro change the entire computer system for the whole company. 4 Yes, he's just lazy. You're right. You've put your ..... ................ .......................... on it. 5 Things are getti ng out of .......... ....................................... ; we need someone to organ ise things properly. 6 As a rule of ... ............................................ you should never use rhe present perfect in English w ith words like yesterday or last year, bm journalists do it ~omctimes. 7 If you. need help with your garden, ask Liz - she's got green .................................................. . 8 I get my exam results tomorrow. Keep your ................................................. crossed for me! 9 Their teenage kids never lift a ............................................ .... at home; they just leave everything to the parents. 10 That shop has chang;e
45.2

Rewrite the underlined part of each sentence with an idiom from the left-hand page.

l I rhink it V\'Oll ld be good if you got some direct experience of worki ng in a poor cou ntry before working for a n aid organ isation a t home. 2 Jerry has withdrawn completdv from the dub committee. H e was so disgusted that he just quit, and never wants to sec a ny of t hem a gain. 3 That new power station on the coast is such a n ugly sighr! You'd think t hey would have built it to blend in with the landscape. 4 Have you ever had a ~o at water-skiing? Yly sister's got a boat if you wo uld like to try. 5 I always have to have the cookbook right next to me when I' m trying out a new recipe. 6 C'm too busy to play football every \veek now, bur I really shou ld play occasionally, just to keep my skills alive. 7 She lost out badlv on t he stock exch ange. She bo ught shares in a n Internet company that went ban krupt.

45.3

Correct the mistakes in these idioms. 1 Do you think you could bring me a hand rhis weekend ? I ha vc to move some furn iture to o ur summer cottage. 2 If rou're t he sort of p erson who is prepared to make your hand to anything, you'll be able to earn a lot of money; people are a lways looking for willing workers. 3 I was very pleased when rhey tol d me my projec·t had he.en given the up-thumb. 4 I decided to wash my hands wirh tb<: whole idea and to have nu involvement \vhatsoevcr in it. 5 If you want to make a good impression a t a business meeting, it is a good idea to have all the facts a n
I

Look again at the idio~s on the left-hand page and see if you can see any further pattern of meanings for t he different sets of idioms connected with hands, fingers and thumbs. W hat do fingers do? Are t he thumb idioms different ? Make a few notes in your Vocabulary notebook and see if your ideas are stil l valid as and w hen you add new idioms connected w ith the keywords.

English Idioms in Use

99

f ,o ot, heel, toe Foot Several idioms involving the word foot refer tO "Someone's persona l situation. example

meaning

You're an adult now; you have to learn to stand on your own two feet.

be independent; look after yourself

I'm rushed off my feet at work.

extremely busy/hectic

He's famous, but he's always kept both feet on the ground.

always remained normal and real istic

I accepted the job. but then got cold feet.

be came afraid to do it

Don't worry. It will take you a while to find your feet. It's always like this in a new job.

get used co things; feel you can cope

Nancy and I got off on the wrong foot.

our relationsh ip started badly

The children are always under my feet when I'm t rying to do the ho usework.

in my way, disturbing my activities

He really seems to have landed/fallen on his feet. He got a new job and found a Oat within a week of arriving in the city.

been very lucky or successful in a difficult situation {The idiom is based on the notion that cats always land on their feet when they fall.)

She lived at home for a while. but got itchy feet again and went off travelling for a year.

got a desire to t ravel

Other idioms with foo t refer more ro actions. I really put my foot in it when I told Mario 1 hated Ita lian foo d; he's ltalian ! faccidentally said/did something very embarrassing)

1 think you should put your foot down and say no. !assert your aurhoriry or independcncel He followed in his father's footsteps an
Heel and toe These nvo idioms with heel r efer

to

preventing or slowing down movement.

I don't think Sara w ants to join us; she's dragging her heels a bit. [d eliberately being slow!

They' re digging their heels in
to

change their position}

The boss always keeps us on our roes. [keeps us busy; rnakes us give our full energy ro our work I

I I 00

Whenever you find idioms that seem to have something in common in their meaning (as wit h the two /lee/ idioms or the foot idioms referring to situations), group them together on one page in your Vocabulary notebook. Add any new idioms that have similar meanings as you meet them.

English Idioms in Use

Exercises 46. 1

Match each idiom on the left with its defin ition on the right. 1 have itchy feet be very busy 2 find your feet start off in a bad way 3 be under someone's feet feel familiar with something 4 la nd/fa ll on your feet be restless I want to travel 5 get off on the wrong fuot regret a decision 6 he rushed off your feet remain connected to the real world 7 get cold feet be constantly in the way 8 stand on your own · two feet be lucky/successful 9 keep bo th feet o n the ground be independent

46.2

Write sentences which relate to your life with any five of the idioms in the list in exercise 46.1. EXAMPLE I

46.3

o.ppliw

fUr

a. pi~

o.r

M

Arv-.efi(D./\ IJAiJers~ o.tV).

wo.S

amprw, !>.* rheA I jaf' c.old fui'.

Rewrite these sentences with five of the idioms from exercise 46.1. 1 I said I would join Jim on the protest march, but then regretted it and didn't go at all. 2 She was very busy in the shop last month, but she's pleased tha t t he business is doing well. 3 He' ll have to learn to make his own decisions now that he's at college a nd nor livi ng at home a ny more. 4 Mavis and I started off rather badly when she first joined the company, but now we're worki ng very well together. 5 I'm feeli ng restless these d ays. I'd love to go off on a backpacking holiday somewhere.

46.4 Which idioms do these pictu res make you think of?

46.5 True or false? Tick (.I) the correct box. 1 If you drag your heels, you deliberately act slowly o r delay something. 2 Jf you put your foot down, you tell someone very firmly to ace in a particula r way. 3 If someone keeps yo u on your toes, they keep you very excited. 4 If you follow in someone's footsteps, they a re your boss and you are below them . 5 If you dig your heels in, you are very determined nor to be persuaded to do something you don't want to d o.

I

True

False

L

0

L

D

r

f"""1

c: D

0

Use a good dictionary to find the meanings of these idioms if you do not already know them.

foot the bill toe the line hard/hot on the heels of

English Idioms in Use

I0I

Bones, shoulder, arm, leg Idioms and meaning associations Sometimes groups of idioms h ave some aspect of meaning in common. for example::, our bones are inside o ur body, they ha\'e flesh/mca r o n t hem a nd they fo rm our skeleton. Note how some basic associations of the word bo11e(s) play a part in this meaning of these idioms. example

meaning

association

I have a bone to pick with you.

You have done something that has annoyed me. and we must discuss it.

Animals pick the flesh off bones when they eat their prey.

She"s going to get that iob; l can feel it in my bones.

l have a feeling deep inside me I an instinct.

Bones are deep inside us.

How best to use the money we raised has become a bone of conte ntion.

People are arguing -and disagreeing over it.

Animals fight

l et's t ry and get to the bare bones of the problem.

Get to the heart I the most basic aspects of the problern.

The bones are our skeleton, our basic form.

o~er

boneslfood.

Shoulder and arm Main association: Shoulders su ppo rc or carry things. She has a chip on her shoulder about the fact t ha t she was no t pro mo ted in her job yea rs ago. I blames other people fo r something negative that has happened ro her and goes o n carrying these fee lings fo r everJ Fiona, can I talk to you? I'm having a horrible ti me and I need a shoulder to cry on . !sympa thy or support in time of troublc1 You are not alone in your fight against the au thorities. We will stand shoulder

to

shoulder

with you. \support you in a difficult time\ I didn't ha ve much success try ing to get to know that good-looking g uy at the pa rty. He gave me the cold sh o ulder. [reacted to me in an unfriendly or cold w ay for no obvious reason) Main association: Arms hold and/or control things.

I didn't reall y wan t t o do the job, but he twisted my arm and I said yes. fpersuaded me som.cth.ing l didn't really •vam to do!

to do

I don 't reall y want to talk to her. I've been trying ro keep/hold her at arm's length. [keep a distance between myself a nd her)

Leg f haven't really won the lottery. I was onl y p ulling your leg. [onl y joking I trying to fool you) He' ll find it difficul t to convince the pol ice that he's innocent. He h asn't (got) a leg to stand o n really. fha s no thing to support his claim o r position]

I I 02

There are ten units in this book that deal with idioms connected with the body.Try to build a picture in your mind of a human body as you work through the units and remember which parts of the body a.re most strongly associated with idioms, e.g the hand.

English Idioms in Use

Exercises 4 7. I

Use idioms to complete the network. A bone of ....................................................................

----------

The .................................................................... bones

~~·-~

J have a bone ....................................................................

47.2

---------

~~ .

I can feel ....................................................................

Use the idioms from exercise 47.J to rewrite these sentences in as hrief a way as possible. 1 l want to talk to you about something very annoying t ha t you have done. 2 T his book will give you the most basic informati<m, but it doesn't go il\to great deta\L 3 I don' t think we shoul
47. 3 Choose the correct answer. 1 Ja nee has a chip on her shoulder because she never got a chance to go to university. a) She is disadvantaged in trying ro find a job. b) She has an ambition sbe has not yet fulfilled. c) She carries a negative feeling a bout it th roughout her life. 2 Brian is pulling Helen's leg.

a) He is annoying her.

3 ·4

5

6

47.4

bl He is trying to fool her about somethin~.

c) He is attacking her. Lo uise needs a shoulder ro cry on . a) She needs to cry publicly. b) She needs a friend ro listen ro her troubles. c) She needs something to cry about. Rita is trying to twist Sally's arm because she ·wants to borrow Sally's car. a) Rita is trying to persuade Sally even though Sally doesn't want to do it. b) Rita is trying to blackn1ai) Sally to do it . c) Rita is trying to pay Sally to lend her <.:ar. Lorna gave Mark the cold sho ulder when he asked her to go w ith him w the school party. a) She put her he-ad on Mark's shoulder in a rnmantic way. b) She r ub bed h~r shoulder against Mark's as a way of saying 'yes' . c ) She behaved in a rather distanr way and said ' nu'. Clare said she would stand shoulder to shoulde r w ith Irene. a) She promised to fighr Irene wirh all her srrengrh. b) She promised to stand next r.o Irene in a queue for something. c) She promised ro support Irene in a difficult siruatioo.

Write a sentence or a couple of sentences for each of th ese idioms to show their meaning. hold/ keep someone at arm's length

47.5

I

not have a leg ro stand on

Here arc cwo more idioms using arm which a r e not on the left-h and page. Using a dictionary if necessary, complete each idiom.

1 The tickers for the Michael Ja<.:kson concert cosr us a n arm and a .................................................. ; they were the most expensive l have ever bought. 2 l t hink I'll ............................................... my arm and apply for that joh. I knuw I'm not at all qualified, bur I've got nothing to lose by applying.

English Idioms in Use

I 03

Head Emotions Head is used in a number of idioms that relate to emotions and staying calm and in control. keep your head [keep calm, especially in a difficult or da ngerous siruation)

be banging or hitting your head against a brick wall [ask someone co do something which they won't do]

lose your head [panic or lose control]

bring something to a head I something comes to a head ran unpleasant situation is so bad that it has to be dealt with)

laugh/scream/shout your head off [laugh/scream/shout very much

and very loudly (informa l)]

If you can keep your head w hen all around are losing theirs, yo u'll be a man, my son. (written by 19th century poet Kipling) T hey were shouting their heads off until late a t night and I just couldn't fall asleep. Trying co get the boys to tidy their bedroom is just banging your head against a brick wall.

Andy and J ill h ad been upset with each other for some rirne, but things eventua lly came to a head last night w hen they had

;i

terrible row.

Thought Sometimes head is used in idioms to mean the pLice w here ideas or thoughts are produced. idiom

meaning

example

put ideas into someone's head

make someone want to do something they had not wanted to do before (usually something stupid)

Louisa was always quite happy in the village until Rex started putting ideas into her head.

get your head (a)round (usually - can't get (my) head (a)round)

come to full y accept or understand something (informal)

I just can't get my head around what's happened. It's been such a shock!

off the top of your head

without thinking about it for very long or looking at something that has been written about it

Off the top of my head, I co uldn 't tell you where they live, buc I could soon find out.

Other head idioms , Rebec.cc.. ~s so bWJ..ttUul; she. <.Uw~s W.~ h~ whene..ver sne. wolks i.nl:o o.. room. ~ bi-ot.nu P>o..m~ ib b~i.nni.n9 to foJL i.n Love. with her, but oor po.rents wo(.(l.d. like. to knock th/M; CM Ule. 11eo.d,2 • This is 0.. Vet"!:I bUS!J !:jW.Y ~r 2.o.YYI~ a.r.d.. he. Ls 9ci.n9 tc ho..'le.. to "NCrk 'IV!:j \ hard. to kup 11i.6 11eo.d. ~e. l'J
1

people notice that person because they look interesting or attractive

2

put a srnp

3

have just enough money in order to live or keep a business going (an image from swinuning) spea ks ro t hem angrily say as little as possible in order to avoid arguments

1

~- ....... ~~....~--

I 04

English Idioms in Use

4

5

to

it {informal}

Exercises 48.1

What do these underlined idioms mean? I I g n 't get my head around how much s he 's changed since s he met J oel.

2 Mary will never turn heads in the way th
48.2

Complete each sentence with an idiom from the box. Make any other necessary changes. bang your head against a brick wall bring things to a head come to a head lose your head scream your head off snap someone's head off

keep your head

1 Mel ...................................................................................................... \Vhcn she saw a rat under the table. 2 When the pilot announced that the p lane was having engine problems, al l t he passengers behaved calmly and no o ne ........................... .......................................................................... . 3 I'm trying to get him to give up smok ing, but I .................................................................................................... . 4 You' ll easi ly pass your driving test as long as you ...................................................................................................... . 5 I wish he wo uldn't ............................................................................................ ........ when I ask h im about his work. 6 Jack a n d Sue have not been getting on well fo r som e time now, bur jack's ruden ess to her last n ight ...................... .................................................... ........................ a nd they had a blazing row. 7 The disagreement over pay ··············-·······-········································-························· ·····-·····- a t a meeting yesterday.

48.3

Which idioms do these pictures make yo u think of?

48.4

Answer these questions.

1 Has anyone ever bitten your head off? Why did t hey do this? 2 Unde r what circumstances would you find it hard ro keep yo ur head? 3 When was the last time you laughed your head off? 4 What kind of person woulc.1 turn yo ur head in the st ree t ? 5 Can yo u th ink o f someone who has been criticised for putting ideas into people's heads? 6 Would a business be pleased if ir were keepi ng its head above water? Why (n ot)?

I

This unit includes just some of the idioms based on the word head. Look in a good dictionary, find three more idioms and write them down in example sentences.

English Idioms in Use

I OS

49 A

Face, hair, neck, chest Face Our face presents the image we show people and that is reflected in m ost of the idioms with face. idiom

meaning

example

make/pull a face

show that you do not like something by making an unpleasant expression

Emma pulled a face when she heard that Jim was coming to the party.

keep a straight face

not to laugh or change your expression even though you war'lt to laugh

It was all I could do to keep a straight face when I saw Jim in his new suit.

put a brave face on something

pretend you are happy about something when you are not happy

Chris was disappointed about not getting the job. but he's put a brave face on it.

take some th ing at face value

accept something as it looks without thinking about whether it might, in fact, not be quite what it appears

I decided to take his words at face value although my brother told me I was being naive.

on the face of it

according to the appearance of something

On the face of it. it's a generous offer. But I feel there might be a trick in it:

face to face

wich another person in their presence rather than, say, by phone o r letter

You should really discuss this with her face to face.

Hair Hair in idi oms often has associations with being cairn and in control.

If you say to someon e Keep your h air on! (informal) you mean Calm down! H e r boyfriend has disappeared agai n. She's tearing/pulling h er h air out! [getting very anxious (us ua lly used wi th con tin uo us verb forms )J My hoss didn't turn a hair whe n I handed in m y notice. !showed n o reaction at all]

C

Neck and chest It's 1 oJ..l tne time. It stru-W when Tom
--

-

--

__

ote how idioms w ith throat or neck often describe someone behaving in a way tha t the speaker finds aggressive o r intrusive. Nore a lso how rhe idea of a guilt y secret being a weight on yo ur chest is reflected in two idioms - make a cle~n breast of and get it off your chest.

I 06

English Idioms in Use

Exercises 49. 1 Complete each idiom with a word from the box. Use some of the words more than once. chest

hair

neck

shoulder

tl'lroat{s)

I Ylo..ven't. been enjoying my j ob reantty. On t.Yle. . .. . ..... . 1 of it., it.'s o.. good. j ob, bv.t. m!:I c.oL1.w.Bv.es d.on't. get. on wU:.11 w.d1 ot.Ylu. They a..re ed:her o.t w..c:.11 ot.Yler's 2 . . . .. .... ... . ..... ..... . or gi.vi.ng w.d1 ot.Yler t.Yle cold. ............................. 3 o..nd. I d.on'c I: now 4 wni.cl1 ih worse. My boss i,s olways breo..t.Yl~ng d.own my o..nd. ro..mmi.ng 5 hi,s rwdicna..ry vi.ews d.own lll!:J . . . . . . . . ...... . I find. Yli.m o.. terrible po..iti i.n t.Yle

l 1 t

*

~

6 ................ .. .... . ........... . .

I hrul to get. m!:j fe.efuigs off m!:j ......................................7 Md., tod.ay, I d.e.ci.d.ed. t.o v.nbv.rd.en m!:jsel.f to .rit.s se.aewy. Sv.d.d.enly, I reoli.sed. t.Ylo.t m!:l boss wo..s sCo..nd.i.ng be.Ylind. me. 'Yoo snoold. Ylo..ve. told. me t.Ylis . . . . . . ... ... a t.o 9 ............... ...... ........ ..... ,' Yle. so..i.d.. o..nd., wi,t.Ylov.c tv.rni.ng o.. . .. ......... 10 , Yle o..d.d.e.d. ' Yov.'re. .fired.!' I wo..s so o..ngr!:j t.Ylo.t I pv.lled.. o.. .................... ... ............... " o.t Yii.m o..nd., stormed. ov.c of t.Yle office_

49.2

Match the beginning of each sentence on the left with its ending on the right. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

49.3

w hen you get very upset about something. You try to keep a straight face You put a brave face on something when you admit to doing something wrong. You can be said to be pulling your hair our when you accept it in a straightforward way. You make a clean breast of something when you are showing your anger. You may ma ke a face when you want to control your laughter. You take something at face va lue w hen you del iberately ignore them. You may be told to keep your hair on when you are not pleased about something. You give someone the cold shoulder when you try to hide your disappointment.

Correct the mistakes in these idioms. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

49.4

(

Rose's father didn't pull a hair when she t old him she was going to get married . I wish my boss would let me get on with my work instead of breathing down the neck. You should tell him directly how you feel rather than just giving him the cold shoulders. N ina is very worried about her husband's illness, bur she's putting her brave face on it. Keep your hair up! If you take what they say with face value, you'll soon get d isappointed. H aving to do homework is such an ache in the neck! I have to tell you a terrible secret. I'll go mad if I don't get it on my chest soon.

Which idioms do these pictures make you think of?

English Idioms in Use

I 07

Eyes The eyes are th e basis o f a large number of idioms. Note the id ioms and their mean ings in th ese paragraph s.

i

~

I

I coc.d.d.n't be!i.e.ve. mH ~e.6 1 when I fi.rs!; sru-i her. She. w~ so b~ttft.it, I ; j v.st c.oc.dd.n't l::up mH ~es off2 her. I tried, to C4t.ch her ~e.3 to s~ heilo. i

--

--- - ---· --------- - ;'.l

i

As d- teacher myself, I know that teaching is not easy. You a.LNays hMe w kup an eye- Dl14 the sW.d..ent.s, but sometimes !fOtA just ha.ve w wrn a. blind. eye.5 W they beha.ve badly. If !:f01A

\

want w be a. teacher, you ha..ve w go inw the ~ofession

~

!JOUr

~- o: ,

6 .

Je.nn!J and.. I were. good.. fri.e.nd..s o..t fi.rst, bv.t. now we. d..on't. se.e. ~e. UI ~e.7 . know j tne. fo..c,t tno..t we. stopped, bcil"lg fri.e.nd.s rlli.6e.d. CJ.. few ~ebrow~8 o..t the. W,,e..

' ""

_ •" •

J

i

~ C~~ -;;:--:Un1~t !JO"r eye. ovu; this ·;:;rt and.. ~: ;

~

~pe!Ling

M;·1

;,ere are any ;isWes? \ computer's on the. and. the speLL-c:hed:er refuses w work. 7hese reports are important, and.. . I a.LNays ha.ve w h~e/tup one eye. on 11 how the boss will read to !:hem W they f.ook unady. blb* 10

~

<

: It o..U. ho.p;;e.d., iN1 tne. II~~ a.n ~e.12 ~d.-~o one.~~ ~-~!J!:n~to-- - ~ pre.ve.nf; i.t.. It w~ horrible.. Bv.t the. pofia. officer st:arid.iNlg nearb!J d.U:t.n't b(li; •

~ • 13

o.n

Th_w __s_ o_mill1 ,__-~....9~~~ ---'ITl-!3_tij..."_'__w...·~-sh_ock _,...e.d,......,m.-e_~_ rel="nofollow">1w -~T1>-o-re_...,,.,..._..i .. J 4

-- -- - Working in such a. poor country opened m!:J ~ · ind..eed a. re4l eye.-opener16 •

\

tx; IS

e 1

couldn't believe whar I w as seeing <.:ouldn'r sro p looking ;H her 3 get her attention; make her look at me 4 keep your ~mention on 5 ignore behaviour which you knmv is w rong 6 awa re of all the problems there could be 7 agree with each other a surprised/shocked people 9 have a quick look at 10 is beginning to break dow n and go wrong, probably because it is old {to blink means to close a nd open yo ur eyes very q uickly) 2

I 08

English Idioms in Use

how 1AYJ}ust the world. is . It wa.s f !lllf

:E

4.,..,

- J

o bserve carefully extremely short time didn't react at all 14 mad e me look is made me understand for the first time

11 12 13

16

an event or situation that I unexpected ly bunt something from

Exercises 50. l

Write a suitabte response to each of these remarks with an idiom. Use the keyword in brackets. I A: Oh ! We're doing 58 and rhe speed limit is 50. There's a police car there! B: Don't worry, if it's just over the limi t, they usually ................................................................... . (BLI D ) 2 A: There's Perra over there. 1 wonder if she's seen us ? B: I don 't know. Let's wave an d see if we can .................... ............................................................... . (CAT CH) 3 A: Are you and Sally not friends any more? B: 'o, not really, we just don't .............. ....................................................................................... . (SEE) 4 A: ls there something \.Vrong with this photocopier? B: Yes, it's been ..................................................................................................... fo r a whi le now. (BLIN K) A: Was it an interesting experi ence working fo r Social Services ? 5 B: Yes, I learnt a lot of things. It was a real .............................................................................................. . (OPEN) 6 A: Did she react in any way when you told her the awful news? B: No, she d idn 't ................................................................................................... (BAT)

50.2

Circ1c the correct word to complete each sentence. l 2 3 4 5

50.3

lf you want to be a professiona l athlete, you have to go into it with your eye I eyes open. Will you cast your eve I eves over this report ? I have to hand it in tomorrow. Erik is so crazy about Margaret. Look at him! H e can 't keep h is eve I eyes o ff her! The events of last night really opened rn y eye I eves ro just how arrogant he really is. 1 couldn't believe my eve I eves when I saw what a mess they had made of the room.

Rewrite the underlined part of each sentence ·with an eye idiom. 1 An accident can ha ppen so quicklv vou can't stop it. 2 His behaviour at the meeting surprised a few people. 3 You should ta ke into consideration your chances of pro moti on when taking up a new job. 4 A very strange sight forced me to look as I was driving aloniz rhe mo to rway yesterday.

•

50.4

Here ;tre some random examples from a compurer database containing lines from real conversations. The figures in diamond brackets, e.g. <s1 >, <s2>, mean ' first speaker', 'second speaker', ere. How many of the examples use eye as a n idiom, and how many use the word eye in its literal sense as 'the organ we see with' ? Use a dictionary if necessary.

1 go into town and get erm an 2 you er keep an 3 In your mind's 4 <S 1> So I'll keep a general 5 <s l > There's something in my 6 difficult to put that to your 7 good offer? <s2> Yeah it caught my 8 I'm casting my 9 this year. <s4> Just keep an 10 <s2> You'll have to keep an 11 so you're about 12 saw her out of the corner of my

eye test. <s 1 > Mm. <s2 > In town. eye out for tramps, do you then? eye how are you going to do that? eye on it. And er <s3> Yeah eye. There's that thing floating eye. You also have to have one eye eye <sl> Yeah it's eye over this form and I think eye out for it. <s4> Yeah. eye on her. <s 1> Yeah. <S2> Oh my eye level with the monitor. eye. <s3> Her lipstick is all over

English Idioms in Use

I09

51 A

Ear, lips, mouth, nose, teeth, tongue Ear The association o f ear with hearing/listening is prominent in most of these idioms. example

meaning

In my opinion, you should just p lay it by e ar.

respond to the situation as it occurs, don 't decide what to do befor ehand

Do you play the guitar from music or by e a r?

play without music; just by sensing the right notes

I c o uldn't believe my ears when she told me.

couldn't believe w hat I was hearing

Bill never listens when you tell him important th ings. It just goe s in one e ar a nd o ut the othe r.

doesn't listen or pay attention; forgets things immediately

Go on! Tel\ me the gossip. I' m all e ars!

I' m very keen to hear what you have to tell me.

Other face idioms: lips, mouth, nose, teeth, tongue Some literal associations remai n stro ng in these idioms. Bur remember, these are only guidelines, and some idioms may be less transparent in their meanings. Main association: L\ps are associated with saying/talking. The company pays lip service to the principle of equal rights fo r women. [says it believes in, but does not carry outJ Tpromise I won't tell anyone. My lips ar c scaled. [I shall keep the secret I tell no o ne[ Main association: Mouths are associated with speaking or eating. I heard a bout the school by word of mouth. Everyone said it was good. [by being told d irectly] Those cream cakes are really mouth-watex:ing I making n\y mouth water. Take them away before J eat them all! [making me want to eat them] Main association: Noses are associated with feelings/reacrions and involvemenr. Stop poking/sticking your nose into other peopie·s business\ [interfering in\ You shouldn't tum your nose up at 200 pounds a week. It's better than nothing. [refuse] Thar new secretary gets right up everybody's nose. Someo ne ''viii have to talk ro t he boss a bout it before it's too Late. !annoys/irritates everyooel Main association: Teeth are associated with hard work I determination I struggles. He achieved it in the teeth of serious opposition. [despite] l escaped disaster by the skin of my teeth . \I only just escaped a disaster\ We can't change what's ha ppened. We'll just have ro grit our teeth and do our best to carry on as before. [accept the situation and handle it with determination l Joe is lying through his reeth. I never said ;any such thing! ltelling a deliberate lie] Main association: Tongues arc associated with speaking. I was upset by her remarks, but I bit my to ngue. [remained silent; didn't react I Her name's on the tip of my tongue, but I just can't remember it. ll know it and will be able to remember it very soon !

I

W here idioms do carry indirect associations with their literal meanings. try to group them in some way, e.g. 'lips and tongue are associated with speaking', as this may help you to remember them.

I I 0 English Idioms in Use

Exercises 51.1

True

True or false? Tick (..-') the correct box for these statements. c~n read the notes directly from a sheet of music. If your lips arc sealed, you refuse ro tell other people a secret you know. If you escaped by rhc skin of yo ur teeth, you only just escaped and came close co disaster. If a person gets up your nose, you arc crnzy about them and can't stop thinking of them. If you achieve something in the teeth of opposition, you do it in spire of that opposition. If information spreads by wor
False

1 If someone plays a musical instrument by ear, they 2 3 4

s 6 51.2

I:

0

I'

L....i

0

0

rJ

LJ

0

0

0

Q

0

'--'

Rewrite each underlined idiom with a literal expression tfiat has the same meaning.

1 She said some very hurtful things ro me, but I just bit my ron~ue, because I didn't \Vant to show her I was upset. 2 I can't really advise you on ho\.v to behave at the intcrvicv"" Just plav it hv car, and I'm sure you'll be great. 3 The governmeoc pays lip !jervice ro low taxes, hut then puts up indirect taxes without people realising it. 4 We offered him a holiday at our house near the beach, but he turned his nose up at it. 5 He said, 'Do you want ro hear some gossip about Tom and Lily? ' I .~aid, 'Oh yes! Tell me. I'm all ears.' 6 I wish you wouldn't poke your nose into other people's affairs. 7 The table was piled high with mouth-\vaterin~ desserts.

5 1.3

Correct che mistakes in these idioms. l 2 3 4

There's no poim talking to her. Everything just enters one e:ir and leaves the other. I just didn't believe in my ear when they told me I had won first prize. When I knew how bad the situation was, I just ground my teeth and continued fighting. The name of the village where he lives is on the top of my tongue. Give me a few minutes and I'll remember it. ~ 5 What she said is simply not true. She's lying with her tooth. 6 The sight of all those delicious pizzas is watering my mouth, but I'm on a diet, so I shouldn't really have any.

•

51.4

Here arc four more idioms which arc not on the left-hand page. Using a dictionary if necessary, choose the correct answer. 1 My heart was in my mouth. a) 1 was feeling ill. b) 1 was f<:ding anxious/nervous. c) 1 was falling in love. 2 Could I have a word in your ear? a) Could you tell me the facts? b) Could I tell you a secrer? c) Could I speak to you privately? 3 These people just live from han
English Idioms in Use

III

Heart Feelings idiom

meaning

example

open your heart

share your deepest feelings

Tony opened his heart to me.

bare you r heart/soul

share secret (often dramatic) feelings with someone else

I find it rather painful to bare my heart to anyone else.

pour your heart out

share secret worries with someone else

Imelda poured her heart out to me - I wished I could help her.

your he art misse s/skips a beat

you suddenly feel so excited o r frightened that your heart beats faster

When I first saw Pat, my heart missed a beat. I knew he would be important to me.

someone's heart is in the right place

someone is good even if they sometimes behave the wrong way

He is a bit rude sometimes, but his heart is in the right place.

have a change of heart

change your opinion o r the way you feel

Ben wants to buy the boat before his wife has a change of heart.

break some one's he art

make someone very sad (often someone who loves you)

It breaks my heart to see the refugees o n the news.

your hear t sinks

start to feel sad or worried

My heart sank as Bob approached.

a man/woman after my own heart

you admire them because they do or believe the same as you

He loves dogs - he's a man after my own heart!

talk to someone heart-toheart I have a heart-to-he art

you have a serious conversation and express your feelings openly

They had a heart-to-heart and sorted out their differences.

take something to heart

take somet hing (usually criticism) seriously

Don't take it to heart. He really didn't mean t o upset you.

Determination lose heart !stop believing that you can succeed] to your heart's content [you do it as much as you want to because you enjoy it] put your heart and soul into something [p ut a great deal of effort and determination into something]

set your heart on something I have your heart set on something [you are determined to achieve something] know something by heart I learn something off by heart [memorise it so that you can recite it perfectly]

Paul did n't lose heart even though he had fai led his driving test six times. Rowena put her heart and soul into a project aimed at helping blind children. Tom set his heart o n I had his heart set o n emigrating to Australia. When you've done your homework, you can play computer games to your heart's content. Actors get very good at learning things by heart.

I I 2 English Idioms in Use

Exercises 52.1

Match each remark on the left wfrh che person who the remark might be addressed to on the right. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

52.2

Don't lose hearr! Don't take it to heart! You're a man after my own hcarr! Don't set your heart on it! Learn it by heart! You're breaking m y heart! Your hearr is in the right place! Yo u can open your heart to me!

Someone w ho has a rather un rea listic ambition. A loved one who is causing )'OU grief. .Someone who has to give a speech. Someone with the same tastes. Someone who is feeling discouraged. Someone with a secret ro share. Someone who is upset after being criticised. A kind person who tries ro do rhe right thing (hut docsn 't always succeed).

Complete each sentence with an idiom from the left-hand page.

1 My .......................................... ....................... ............................... when the h andsome man smiled at me. 2 When we are on ho liday, the children can ouild sa ndcastles .................................. .............................................................. while we lie on the beach and read. 3 J im used to support the Green Parry, hut he's .................................................................................................... . 4 If you ask Roy to help you, I'm sure he'll ............................ ................................................................... an d the job will be fin ished in no time. 5 It's not a good idea to .. .............................................................................................. to a journalise unless you want your secrets to become public knowledge. (Give three answers.) 6 Your disserta tion is nearly finished, so don't ..................................................... ..................................... now. 7 It ................................................................................................... to see my brother making s uch a fool of himself. (Give two an swers.) 8 My ........... ...................... ............................................................... when l realised p ay day was still a week away.

52.3

Rewrite each underlined idiom with a liceral expression that means the same.

Emily ( 1) h ad ser her heart on getting a p romorion. She had been (2) putting her hea rt a nd soul into her work, but had not yet been offered a better position. So she decided to (3) have a heart-to-heart with her hoss. Over several cups o f coffee she (4) poured her heart our to him, telling him all a bout her achievements and her ambi tions. He r boss listened (5) w ith a sinking heart. When she had finished (6) ba ri ng her hea rt, he sa id: 'You' re a great worker, Emily, and ( 7) vour heart is <.:crtainlv in the rii;ht place. In m any ways, ( 8} you 're a woman after my own heart. Bur you do need to improve on your people s kills before we can consider promoting you. (9) Don't lose hearr, rhough . I' m sure you w ill m ake it one day.' Emily (10) took his \Vords to heart and was at fir:s t very u pset. But then she bought a book ca lled People Skills and How to Get Them and decided she'd (11 ) learn it by heart.

52.4

Answer these quescions. 1 What might a boy w ho is very good ;~t p ];lying rhe gu irnr ser his he:lrt on doing? 2 If you do something to your heart's content, do you do it very well o r do it a lot? 3 If you say that someone is a woman after your own heart, do you mea n that she likes you or that s he is like you? 4 1f you sa y that someone's heart is in the right pbce, are you praising them? 5 If your h eart misses a beat. whi<.:h of these might you he: sick, cxcired, a fra id, in love? 6 Who does ;i teenage girl often open her heart to? 7 Why might a woman have a change of heart ahout getting married and whar would s he

tht!n do? 8 What sort of thing might brea k a young lover's heart?

English Idioms in Use

I I3

Brain, mind, blood and guts A

Brain If you have something on the brain (informal ), yo u can't stop thinking o r: talking abo ut one particula r thing. If you pick someone's brains, you ask for informa tion or advice from a person who know s mo re a bout something than you do. The phr:ase the brain drain is used to refer to the movement of highly skilled and educated people from their own country to another one w here they are paid more.

Mind

C

idiom

meaning

example

b e a load/weight off your mind

feel relieved because a worry is removed

Knowing he was safe was a load off my mind.

have/keep an open mind

wait until you have all the facts before forming an opinion

The PM is keeping an open mind until t he report is ready.

have a mind of its own

(of a machine) it doesn't work the way you want it to

My word processor seems to have a mind of its own.

make up your mind

decide

I made up my mind to leave. My mind's made up! I'm leaving.

put/set someone's mind at rest

help someone to stop worrying

If it'll put your mind at rest. I'll phone home every day.

at the back of your mind

always in your mind although you don't spend too much time th inking about it

The thought of having to make a decision soon is always at the back of my mind.

in your mind's eye

in your imagination or memory

In my mind's eye I can still see the house I grew up in.

Blood and guts If a film is said to be full of blood and guts * (informal), it means that it is very violent. ff something is done in cold blood, or in a cold-blooded w ay, it is done in a cruelly planned and unemotio nal way. It is strongly associated w ith the verbs kill and murder. If making someone tell or give you something is like getting blood o ut of a stone, it is very difficult to do.

If you say you have a gut feeling/reaction, yo u mean that feeling or reaction is instinctive.

If you slog/sweat/work your guts out (informal), you work extremely hard. " Guts is an in formal word for inresrines.

I 14

English Idioms in Use

Exercises 53.1

Match the beg1nning of each sentence with its ending. 1 Getting him to agree to spend money is like 2 He's exhausted because he's been slogging 3 I'm sure the doctor will set 4 I've got that computer game 5 He can still sec her quire clearly 6 He tries not to chink about it, but it's always 7 If you can't do it alone, you could try to 8 Crimes of passions are less horrific than murders which are

53.2

his mind at rest. ar the back of his mind. pick his brains. in his mind's eye. getting blood our of a stone. cold-blooded. his guts out. on the hrain.

Complete each of these idioms with brain(s), mind, blood or gut(s).

1 There was a large .................................................. drain from the UK to rhe US in the second half of the 20th century. 2 Knowing that you're going to cake respons ibility for the job is a major weight off my 3 My ................................. .............. reaction is to rrust him. 4 This horrible car has a ............ ..................................... of its own. 5 There is too much blood and .................................................. on TV these days. 6 I can't finish this crossword. Can I pick your ............................................... ? 7 The man was murdered in cold .......................... .................. . 8 I can seem>' grandmother's face now in my ...................................................'s eye.

53.3

Complete each sentence with an idiom from the left-hand page.

1 The government are rather worried about ...................................................................................................... . 2 I like both the shirts. I can't ................ ..........................................................:..................... which one to buy. 3 Doo'r think too long ahont the question. Just tell me your .................................................................... .

4 Why do people enjoy films that arc full of ................................................................................................. ? 5 Don't decide until you know all the facts. It's best to .................................................................... ................................. until rhen. 6 I know yuu must be worri~d, but I'm sure we can ................................................................................................ . 7 I've had that awful song .................................................................................................. ever since hearing it on rhe radio this morning. 8 Getting him ro rell me a nything about his work is like ... .................... ... ..................... ........................... .

53.4

What do you think is the main metaphorical or non-literal meaning of these words as shown by the idioms 1n this unit? 1 mind 2 blood 3 hr:iin 4 guts

I

Look up broin(s), mind, blood and gut(s) in a good dict ionary. Can you find any other examples of idioms using these words? If so, do they have the same metaphorical meanings as those you suggested in exercise 53 .4? . .·...,.. -· .,.,... ··.· -: .....·,..-..,..-.,- ·. . .. . . . . . : .. . . . . .. · , . . · . .. . .. ... . .. . ·.·· .· ·· ·..· .. . . .. . . . . ·. .. .

English Idioms in Use

I I5

Back The body idiom

meaning

example

be on someone's back (informal)

constantly ask someone to do something or criticise them in an annoying way

My parents are always o n my back about doing my homework on time.

you wouldn't be sorry I you'd be pleased/glad/happy to see the back of someone / something

you'd be glad when someone leaves o r something ends because you don't like that person or thing

I'll be glad to see the back of this government. They've been a bit of a disappointment.

could do something with one arm/hand tied behind your back

could do something very easily

The test was easy. I could've done it with one hand tied behind my back!

get/put someone's back up

offend someone

I put her back up when I criticised Americans - I didn't know she came from New York.

stab someone in the back

do something harmful to a person who trusted you

Although she's friendly to my face, I suspect she'd happily stab me in the back.

do something when/while someone's back is turned

do something while someone can't see what you are doing (usually something that person would not approve of)

As soon as the teacher's back was turned. the children started passing notes to each other.

you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours

if you help me, I'll help you

We can help each other - you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours.

know a place/person/thing like the back of your hand

know a place/person/thing extremely we\\

He's a great guide as he knows the town like the back of his hand.

Position In rhese idioms back has the sense either of being distant or nor raking the main route.

If a plan is on the back burner, it isn't being dealt with now but hasn't been totally forgotten.

If somewhere is at/in the back of beyond, it means th
Backward(s) I had leant/bent over backwards ro please her !tried very hardl . However, she left without a backward glance [left w ith no regrets or sad feelings j.

I I 6 English Idioms in Use

Exercises 54. I

Answer these questions. 1 If your boss is always on your hack about tidying your desk, is your desk usually tidy and how does your boss fee l about this? 2 lf you put someo ne's back up, has your relationship with that person improved? 3 What sort of thing m ight children do when the teacher's back is turned? 4 If someone says You scratch my back and I'll scratch yours, what do they want you to do? 5 If someone leaves home without a backward glance, are they happy to leave? 6 If doing housework takes a back seat while you a re revising for your exams, which is more important - housework or revision?

54.2

Complete each of these idioms with one word. 1 My aunt loves living miles from anywhere, but I'd hate to live in the back of 2 You must have known rhar a new TV for that price could only have come off the back of a ··········-·····················--··············· . 3 You won't get lost if you keep with Tom. He knows rhe m ountains like the back uf his

4 A!though my hosts ................................................... over backwards to give us a good time, we didn't really enjoy our holiday. 5 I wouldn't trust Mr Girton. He's charming to your face, but he'll ............................................ -..... you in the back as soon as he gets the chance. 6 We'd better put our d iscussion of plans for the new building on the back ................................................... and get on with trying to deal with the curcenr crisis. 7 Smiths must have got the contract through the back ................................................... - I'm sure at least one other company put in a cheaper offer. 8 Amelia is retiring this week and I certainly shan 't he sorry to .........-................. -..................... the back of her. She's always stirring up trouble.

54.3

Match each question on the left with the most likely response on the right.

1 Do you know the area well? 2 Was the test difficult? 3 Where is the castle? 4 Where d id they get the computer? 5 How on earth die.I she get that position? 6 Do you like th is hot weather? 7 Does your girlfriend like your motorbike? 8 How's your Japanese project going?

54.4

Somewhere in the back of beyond. By the back door, I'm sure. She's always on rn y back about it. I'll be glad to see t he back of it. Like the back of my hand. It's raking a back sear at the moment. It fell off the back of a lor ry. I could have done it with my hands tied behind my back.

Rewrite the underlined p art of each sentence with an idiom from the left-hand page. l Jim offended May hy telling her she was too young ro go out w irh the others.

2 lf you do me a favour now, I'll do one for you too. 3 4 5 6 7 8

Sue tried hard co give her grandmother an enjoyable holid ay. The teacher is always compla inin~ about my h andwriting. Let's post pone any discussio n of the merger until after next week's meeting. My dream is to go off to a cottage in the middle of nowhere and work on a novel. J oe went off to jo in the navy without a nv rei;~rets. Quick! We can leave now w hile Sasha isn't lookin!;.

English Idioms in Use

I I7

Long Idioms with long used frequently in conversation Ben: Jill: 'ancy:

Rira:

Hi Ji II! 1 haven't seen you for ages. Yeah, long time no see! fl haven't seen you for a long timej Hey, what happened to your plan to go on holiday wirh Ken? Oh, it's a long story. I'l l tell you next rime I see you. [it's all very complicated and difficult to tell [

Bernard: How long
Sandy:

Elsa:

C'!J ,--.•J'

'How long .. . ?') But ho\.\! d\d it happen? l don't understand. Well, to cut a long scory short, Peter fell in love with the restaurant owner, married her and now he's the manager. {teH the ma in points, bur not a II the fine derails] Did you write down the names of everyone who complained? Yes, I've got a list as 1011g as your arm! [very \ong list indeed)

'1 · '

A: What are yott doing?

B: 1 think it's time to cut a long story short.

Compound idioms

-

/( ...

then ...

a story/lecture/speech is long-winded · ' w1nd 1di

it 's too long and boring

a task or a process is Koing to be a long haul :1n:li

it's not going to be easy and it will take a long time

someone has a long face

they look sad and depressed/gloomy

Idioms with go/come and long/length She ahvays goes to great lengths co make us feel welcome. [makes a very big effort] He would go to any lengths ro avoid meeting Ch ristine; he hates her. [do anything he could] I think Jane will go a long way; she's very clever and she studies h.ud. Iwill be very

successful; rise w tbe Wp of her profession) Helen and I go back a long way. fhave known each other fo r many yearsJ Kyoko has reall y come a long way since she first starred learning English; she's quire fluent now. !made great progressj Note also: l think

I I B English Idioms in Use

,..,,e should take a \ong, hard look at the cost of a\l this. [consider c.arefuHy]

Exercises 55. I

Complete each of these idioms. 1 My parents
SS.2

Use the idioms from exercise 55.1 to make sentences of your own, based on these outlines.

1 Tell a young person jusc leaving high school who has done well in their exams that you think they have an excellent career ahead of them. 2 Tell someone that you and your best friend h av~ known each other for years and years. 3 Tell someone that the family you stayed with when you were learning a new language
55.3

Which idioms wirh long could you use to answer someone who said to you ... ? 1 Hi! Wow, it's heen ages, hasn't it ? 2 How long does it rake to get a computer repa ired? 3 Hey, what happened to you and Hilary ? I thought you were going to get married. 4 What happened at the meeting last night? Don'r tell me all the details, just rhe mai n points.

55.4

What is the opposite of ... ? Use an idiom from the left-hand page in each answer.

1 a short, interesting lecture 2 a happy-looking face 3 a quick, easy process 4 a short lisr

I

During the next week, each t ime the word Jong comes up in your reading or when you are speaking English. note whether it is being used with its ordinary meanings or in an idiom. If any of the idioms you hear/read are not in this unit. make a note of them in your Vocabulary notebook.

English Idioms in Use

I 19

Line Line as track 1

lmra.n knew he. w~ ik\ l.i.ne. for 1 9romoti.on lo..sl;. !:leO.r. Howe.Ye.I", fooLLshltj, he. soicl some.thi.ng wt of u.m.2 ~ o.. meetix19 o..nd,, tn~ wo..s tne. e.nci of I hi.6 hope.s for o.. whi.Le.. I'm no!;. s1Are. wh~ he. sruJ. e.x~, we it wo..s ~ some.tni.ng llLotlg ttle Wies of3 tne. probtems of t:he. compo..n!:l bcing ciown to inefficient mrui0-9eme.nc. An):lhow, he's learnt tl1~ it is net o.. gooci ( i.cieo.. to stq> wt of U.ne.4 - ~ l.e.o..st no!;. i.n hi-5 1,.i.ne. of worl:5 - o..nci 11e seems to be. goi.ng llLotlg/on the "9ht Um.66 now. As Long o..s he. cioe.sn't s~ ~ful.n9 ~Ion ~ SO-n\I!. Ur.t.67 o.go..i.n - o-t \M.st Ml:. V.\'\tiL h e.'s got hi.6 promotion, whe.n he. w.n be one of the i.neffi.de.tit mµt0-9et"s himself. ~--...,,._--~~,....,...... ,,...--~-r---

1

2

3

4

B

likely to ger (used about something good ) not suitable, th~t sho uld nor have been said (or sometimes done) similar to behave in a way that is not what is expected of you

5 6

7

profession be doing something in a way rhat will bring good results of a similar kind {sometimes in a similar way)

Lines as limits idiom

meaning

example

draw the line

think of or treat one thing as different from another

At what point does a child stop being a minor ?You have to draw the line somewhere.

draw the line at something

not do something because you think it is wrong or too extreme

I quite like modern fashions, but I draw the line at body-piercing!

draw a line under something

decide that something is finished and you are not going to think about it again

Let's draw a line under this episo de and try to make a fresh start.

there is a fine/thin line between one thing and anothe r

two things are ve ry similar, a\though the second thing is bad while the fi rst is not

There is a fine line becween determination and pig-headedness.

Lines of writing Drop me a line w hen you have a s pare mo ment. [send rne a s hort letter, postcard or e-ma il) Reading b etween the lines, I think h e's feeling a little lonely.

rr arn trying to understand his

real feelings from what he says) It is foo lish to sign on the dotted line until you have chec ked a ll the derai ls. [forma lly agree to something by signing a legal document] T he bottom line is that children must be protected. [rhe most important fact]

120 English Idioms in Use

Exercises 56.1

Complete these idioms with prepositio ns. 1 I hope I'm ................................................... line .................................................. a pay rise this year. 2 You must read .................................................. the lines of her letter to understand what she's saying. 3 I'd like to design a hou se ................................................... rhe lines of a place I read about. 4 I'll help w ith the play, but r draw the line ................ .......................,........... taking a speaking role. 5 There's a fine line .................................................. generosity and extravagance. 6 It's uncanny how we always seem tu be thinking ................................................... the same lines. 7 You were quite ................................................................................................... line. Don 't do it again! 8 When our h ouse purchase is agreed, we'IJ sign ................................................... the d otted line. 9 It's time to draw a line ................................................... this sad occurrence and to make a fresh start. 10 Would you mind having a look a t my essay plan and telling me whether you think I'm going .......................... ..................... the right lines or not ?

56.2

Explain the difference in m eaning between the sentences in each pall-.

1 A: J ane d rew a line under her relationsh ip with Tim. B: .Jane
56.3

Match each statement on the left with the most likely response on rhc right.

1 Drop me a line soon. 2 You're absolutel y o ut o f line. 3 I'm in line for promotion. 4 W hat's Tony's line o f ·w ork? 5 Shall we draw a line under o ur past problems? 6 Nick doesn 't dare step out of line. 7 I draw the line at going on strike. 8 Was my talk along the right lines?

56.4

Why ever no t? It was great. So do I. I'm sorry. Of course, I will. He's in computer programming. T hat's fine by me. Congratulations.

Rewrite the underlined part(s) of each sentence with an idio m from the left-hand page. 1 2 3 4 5 6

Please write to me as often as you can. What's Natasha's jQQ_? Wha t Paul did was totally inappropriate. My d ream is t0 open a school similar to th e one I a trended m yself as a child. Gen ius is in some wavs very duse to insanity. Doing enough exercise is of co u rse essential, hut too much might be harmful. W he re does enough becom e too much? 7 Let's now try to forget o ur previous d isagreements. 8 M arcus sh ould be gecting a new company car this year. 9 We'd like to visit you in Australia, but the kev problem is that we just ca n't afford it .

56.5

Write sentences using six of the idioms from the left-hand page about yourself or people that you know.

E.nglish Idioms in Use

I 21

Act, action, activity Idioms with act have two main meanings, one connecred simply with doing things, the other with acting as in a theatre or drama. Idioms with action can refer to what is happening or to

whether something/someone is working/functioning normally.

Act Here, the second speaker uses a n idiom to repeat or sum up what the first speaker says. Josh: Simon:

The boss saw Jim and Margaret kissing in the office yesterday. He was furious. Yes, I heard about it. They were caught in the act. Amazing!

Kim: Erica:

Lisa s hould fill out her application for university or she'll be too late. Yes, it's time she got her act together.

Pa ul: Bill:

Keith wants to join us now that we're doing well. Yes, now that we're successful he wants to get in on the act!

Edith: Brian is crying and saying he's ill. I don't believe him. Yvonne: r don't either. r think he's just putting on an act because he doesn't want

to

work.

Note these other idioms with act: It's a lways a difficult balancing act rn please che younger people and the older ones at t he same time. [trying to treat the two groups of people equallyl

A lot o f people think the tabloid newspapers should clean up their act and stop destroying famous people's lives. [stop doing something a lot of people don't like or agree withJ Stop behaving like a child! You're over 18 now. Act your age! [don't behave in a childish way] Stop acting the fool/goat! This is a serious matter. !playing around I not taking things seriously]

Action and activity Note that it would normally be very unusual to find a ll these similar idioms together in one text.

NorrM.U~~

tl1e.- offic.e. i,s-;:11;e. ~ o..ciiv~ 1, btAt tl1e boss 110.S bun oot of o.clion for o.. 1ve.ek , so .. ever one's to.Jc:i.rig i,t eo..5)1. He.'ll probal>4l be. bllek i.l"I o.ciiot'13 next week. He so..ys t11ere o.re. opporW.nt.ae.s 8 for 'rlv.ge so.Les cm the. \mem'l.\:. <>.nd.. thQ.t ,,~e. shov.Ld. get o. sLJ.ce/~ of t:l1e. o.clion~ · ~lAc tAstAo..ll!:l ne' 5 C1JL ~ IU'ICL no o.clions , so 1mte.ss 11 e f-oU.ows /toJc:e6 o.. c:J.i,fferenI; (;(>V. rse. of o.c.tion from his 2

J

tASlAoJ. 1vo..y of d..oing tl1i.ri9s, t11en not11Ltt9 wil.l. ho.ppen . 1

2

3

I 22

a very busy place (like a beehive) with people working hard all the time not been working in the normal way, perhaps because he's ill be back at work again

English Idioms in Use

4

5

6

take part in something exciting, profit from it someone who promises/says they will do a lot of exciting things, but doesn't do them acts in a particular way (rather forma l)

Exercises 5 7. I

Use an idiom from the left-hand page to repeat or sum up w hat the other person says. 1 A: Ken has been off work fo r a couple of weeks, hasn't he? B: Yes, he's been .............................................................................................,. ..... for a while now.

2

A: B:

Doreen is so silly. She's 31, bur she acts like a teenager sometimes. Yes, I agree. She should learn to ........................................................................... .........................

3 A: Eva is always saying what fantastic plans she has

B:

to

travel round the world, but she

never actually does it. Yes, s he's ...................................................................................................... .

4 A: Bob should go and get a job. H e finished university over a year ago and has never had a job. B: Yes, it's rime ... ............................................................. .................................... .

5 A: I think we always have to try to give the kids a lot of fun, but at the same time show

B: 5 7 .2

their parents we're giving them a serious education. Yes, it's a very delicate ...................................................................................................... .

Complete the crossword. I

2

3

4 Don't ................................................... on an act!

4

5 7 .3

Across

1 Time to get your ace ................................................... . 5 I want to ...... ............................................ in on the act.

5

Down 2 Don' t act like this anim al. 3 Bees are busy there.

Rewrite the underlined part of each sentence with an idiom from the left-hand page. 1 He was stealing a car, and the police caught him just at the moment when he was gerting into it. 2 I was our of the team for three weeks with a knee problem, but now I' m plaving again. 3 I think ic's time we acted in a different wav. 4 The film industry should change its present wrong way of doing things and stop making violent films. 5 Everyone wants to be part of the exciting situation now that we are making a lot of money. (Give two answers. ) 6 Our office is a very b usv place these days as we prepare for the launch of our new products.

I

Try to follow a particular theme and learn a'i many idioms as you can connected wim it. For instance, act gives us idioms connected with the theatre. Look up other theatre words (stage, curtain, scene) and see if you can find any new idioms.

English Idioms in Use

I 23

Good and bad Good and better 1

(Mr d.a.lAgf'lte.r" Shru-011, NAAteJ.. to be. AA ~ess . I ~sea. to be. i.nvolve.d. i.n CU'Ot:1.tem tl1w.tre. o.nd. I t11i.nk Sf'lt:1.ro11 No..nted. to go Ol'\e 'l>d:l:u1. ~:sb wr 'l>d::t:a jc.t~eniem1 , we. 0-9re.e
2

3

~

do more or do something better than it has been done before alrhough we did not think it was a sensible thing to do be useful in the fuw re decided nor co d o what she had intended to do

~

Best idiom

meaning

example

second best

not as good as the th ing you really want

If you know what kind of job you want, yo u really shouldn't settle for second best.

get the best of both worlds

have the advantages of two different t hings at t he same time

living in France and working in Switzerland gives the m the best of both worlds Swiss salaries and a French lifestyle.

for the best

unpleasant now but will turn out well in the future

It may well be that the break-up of their relationship is for the best.

make the best of a bad job

be positive about a situation chat you do not like but cannot change

It was difficult for her to move to such an isolated place, but she made the most of a bad job and slowly began t o enjoy it.

be on your best behaviour

make an effort co behave as well as possible

Jack hates formal parties, but he has promised to be on his best behaviour at the reception t o night .

Bad, worse and worst The company has been in a bad way ever since it lost a major order last July. rin a poor conditio n] The situatio11 at school was dreadful last C hristmas when a n umber of teachers were fired and it has gone from bad to worse since then. [got even worse than it was before] 1 was learning the piano, bur 1've given ic up as a bad job. 1 couldn't find time to practise. [stopped because I felt it was no t worth contin uing]

If the worst comes to the worst, we' ll sell the house and move back to my parents.

~if the

sit uation becomes ver y difficult or serious]

I

Use the example sentences on this page as models, but alter them a l\ttle if possible so that they describe something in your own life.

124 English Idioms in Use

Exercises 58. 1

Complete each of these idioms with good, bad, better, best, worse or worst. 1 Learning a little .Japanese should stand you in ................................................... stead when you visit Japan. 2 C hris has been in quite a ................................................. . way ever since he had flu in January. 3 I didn't want ro have a karaoke machine at o ur party, but, against my ................................................... judgement, I agreed. 4 People who live h ere enjoy the ................................................... of both worlds: the peace of the countryside, and fast a nd frequent rail connections with the city. 5 If the ............................. ..................... comes to the ................................................... , we can always wa lk home. 6 The headmaster warned the children to be on their ................................................... behaviour while the inspectors were in the school. 7 When Terry was made redundant, he decided ro m ake the ................................................... o f a ................................................... job and use his extra time by taking a computer course. 8 The situation at the scene of the disaster seems to be going from ................................................... to

58.2

Put the words in order and make sentences. 1 else I to I better I Sarah I has I one I go I everyone I ;ilways I than 2 ro I to I worse I going I be I bad I Conditions I seem I from 3 the I tried I to I best I we I was I make I bad I a I job I weather I T he I of I bad I but 4 it I I I I I the I of I her I better I nearly I thought I told I but I truth 5 very I As I he I never I ambitious I second I Mark I settle I is I fo r I will I best 6 gave I Rose I as I job I up I tried I ski I a I it I learn I soon I but I bad I to I to 7 worst I ask I If I a I we I worst I a lways I Dad I comes I the I to I can I loan I for I the 8 the I happens I Whatever I for I best I happens

58.3

Look at rhe pictures and answer the questions.

l Is the boy on his best behaviour? 2 What m ight happen if things go from bad co wo rse?

3 Hov..r are the people at number 10 trying to go one better than their neighbours?

4 In what sense is Mike in a bad way? 5 How might he make the best of a bad job?

58.4

Choose two idioms from each of the three sections on the left-hand page. Then write sentences about your own personal experiences. EXAMPLE:

I'm stu~l.ng £ngLi5h be.co..use, I'm sv.re-

J; wi.1.L ~to..nd..

me,

l,n

good.. stw..c:L l.n the- future-.

English Idioms in Use

I 25

Ground The ground, meaning the earth under our feet, is associated with a number of idio ms which refer to positions people occupy in giving arguments and opinions. The ground is also seen as a starting point from which plans, actions, etc. can take off, like a plane.

A

Attitudes, arguments, positions Agreeing I accepting ideas We share a lot of common ground, so I think we'll work well together. [things we agree on; similar opinions and experience) The idea that organic food is better fo r people as well as the environment is gaining ground. [becoming more popular/accepted]

Disagreeing/opposing The Prime Minister's speech has cut the ground from under the feet of the Opposition. [made their position weaker by saying something better! She was determined to hold/stand her ground and nor to be persuaded by the others. [refuse to change her opinion/behaviour] I think you're on dangerous ground if you try to insist that they change the financial system. [hold a view/opinion that w ill pro bably offend/upset people]

Changing your opinion/argument For a long time, neither side would give ground, but now it seems they are ready to consider each other's position. !change their opinion or accept the other side's posit io n]

It's very difficult to argue with Rosa; she keeps shifting

he~

ground. !changing her

opinion/argument]

The ground as starting point If someone ...

this means they ...

gets a project/idea off the ground (or if a project/idea gets off the ground)

help it start off well/successfully (or it starts well/successfully)

gets in on the ground floor

become involved in something right at the beginning (and which is often successful later)

prepares the ground (for some activity)

create a good/suitable situation for something to take place

Other useful ground idioms I felt so embarrassed I just wished the ground would swallow me up. lwished I could just disappear) Good restaurants are thick/thin on the ground in this town. Ithere are a lo t I very fewl Living near the airport suits me down to the ground since I travel a lot. [suirs me perfectly] As a result of the media attention, she has gone to ground. [hidden, nor appeared in public] T his part of town was my old stamping/stomping ground w hen I was a student here ten years ago. I place w here I spent a lot of time I

126 English Idioms in Use

Exercises S9. I

Comp\ete these idioms with prepositions. The Min ister cleverly cur rhe ground ...................................................................................................... her oppon ents' foer by an n ouncing new tax cuts .

2 He gm ................... ......... .................. .............................. .................... the g round floor w ith e-comm erce and became a millionaire vvhe n it took off. 3 Good hore)s arc rhin . ............................................... rhe ground in the sma ller cities ; you have ro go ro t he capital ro get ho tels of international standard. 4 Th e project h as gor . .... .......................... ........... the g round q uicker and m ore smoothly than we expected. 5 Part-time work suits me ............................................... . ...................................... ............ rhe gro und at the moment as l' m trying to srndy at the same rime.

59.2

'\'i/ell 1 think it suits

) 'OU

down to the ground. '

Use rhe idiom s from exercise 59 .1 to rewrite these sentences. Make any o ther necessary chan ges.

l I'm afraid the re aren 't man y good ca fes in rhe rown centre. 2 Working from home is pedccr fo r 1rn: as l can look afrer o u r s111a ll c hild at the same rime. 3 If you jo in our company now, l promi se you arc coming into it at the beginn ing of some really exciting developmen ts. 4 R educin g the pfice n0w w ill enabk us t0 get a big ;'.'ldvantage over our competitors, because they will nm be able to do the same. 5 Tt's a good idea, bur I don't know if it will eve r become popu la r.

59.3

R ewrite each sentence with a n idiom from the left-hand page w hich means the opposite of the underlined words.

1 She let t hem persuade her and had a meet ing with the boss ro rell her everything. 2 We have no ideas or experie nces we can sh are, so we need ro disc uss how we can \.\'Ork rogether. 3 l think vnu can quite s;1felv raise the suhject of longer nolidays at the staff meeting. 4 T here arc verv fe'"' English Language sch ools in the capital city. 5 The idea that public transport is better for the environment is becoming less popular.

59.4

Answer these question s.

If a famous person goes co gro und, '"' ha t do they do? 2 H o 'v d o you feel if you wish rhe ground would swa ll ow you up? 3 If someone refuses to give ground, whar do they refuse to d o? 4 W hich idiom on the left-hand page means changing your position in an argument? 5 One iLhom on the left-ha nd page gives you a choice bcn:..·een stampin>: and stompinJ;. W hat is it and what d oes it mean ? 6 lf you want to sell a new product in a new country a nd someone has prepared the grou nd for you, w hat docs that mean?

English Idioms in

Use

127

Similes and idioms with like In this unit we look at idioms with as ... c1s ... and like. As ... as ... idioms make an adjective stronger I more intense, so as blind as a bat means very blind I with very poor sight indeed.

·A

As ... as ... and like idioms involving animals/birds Try to memorise the keywords. They may help you to remember che whole idiom more easily. They also tell you something about what rhe animals arc associated with in British culture.

B

animal

keyword

example

meaning

bat

blind

I'm as blind as a bat without my glasses!

can't see

bat

hell

It must be urgent. She left like a bat out of hell.

moving very fast indeed

bear

head

He's like a bear with a sore head.

very bad-tempered/ irritable

bee

busy

I've been as busy as a bee all morning.

very busy

bird

free

When I set off round the world. I felt as free as a bird. very free

bull

the colour red

Telling him not to smoke in here is like a red rag to a bull.

will make him extremely angry

cat

bring/drag things into the house

He arrived looking like something the cat brought/ dragged in.

very scruffy/ untidy/messy

eel

slippery

Be careful. He's as slippery as an eel.

changes his attitude/ position; constantly escapes control

fish

water

As the only football enthusiast in the group, I felt like a fish out of water.

uncomfortable because you are different from other people

fox

sly/cunning

I wouldn 't trust her. She's as sly/cunning as a fox.

very sly/cunning

hawk

eyes

Janet will see you if you use the computer without permission. She has eyes like a hawk

sees everything; never misses anything

ox

strong

My father was a big man, and as strong as an ox.

very strong

-

-

-

Other common similes T here were rents as far as the eye could see at the rock festival. [covering the landscape] It's as plain as the nose on your face t ha t she's in love with him. [very easy to see] Looks arc not everything. It doesn't matter if you marry someone who is as ugly as sin as long as yo u love each o ther. [very ugl y indeed] Your suitcase is as light as a feather Ivery lightJ. Mine's as heavy as lead [1k d very heavy).

C

Other common like idioms I've a lways tried co avoid exams like the plague.

[i plc1q / avoid I have no concact \Vith something unpleasant (the plague is a serious disease which kills many people)] I'm so rry, I forgot to get your newspaper. 1 have a memory like a sieve! l ..;1,·' very bad memory (a sieve is a kitchen tool with a plastic net which separates liquids from sol ids)] He'll be here like greased lightning if he hears there a re free tickets. (very quickl y indeed]

I 28

English Idioms in Use

Exercises 60. 1 This list of animals and the adjectives traditionally associated with them in British culture have got mixed up . Put the adjectives into the correct boxes and write sentences using the idioms.

I

animal

wrong adjective

bat

free --·-

2

-

60.2

3

right adjective

-

-

-·· -

ox

slippery

bee

sly

example sentence

~

4

eel

busy

5

bird

blind

6

fox

~trong

..

......

Rewrite these sentences wich idioms from the left-hand page. 1 I don't 111ind carrying this hox. It's extremely light. T he o ther one was very very heavy.

2 If I were you, I would avoid chat restaurant in every possible way. T he food is aw fu l. 3 Millie never misses anything you do in the office. She sees a bsolu tely everything. 4 I felt completely our of place \Vith my electric guit ar among :ill those classical musicians. 5 There are horels completely covering the landscape all a lo ng the coast. 6 She got up late a11
60.3

Answer these questions.

1 Which animal has a sore head? 2 Which an imal doesn 't like red rhings? 3 Which animal lives in hell?

60.4

Use an idiom from exercise 60.3 to complete each sentence. 1 He was very bad-tempered, likc ......................-..................... ......................................................................................................... . 2 H er comments \verc like ......................................................................................................................................................... . 3 He ran o ff l{ke ..... .......... .. ......................................... ............,................................... ...................... ................

60.5

Complete each of these idioms.

1 She drove home like .... ............................ .. .............. lightning t he moment she heard Patrick had arrived. 2 Don' t ask Robert ro post a letter. H e has a memory like a ....... ................................... . . .. . 3 Everyone could see what was happening. It was as .................................................. as t he no se o n your face. 4 Even if a person is as ................................................... as sin, that docsn 't mean that they are nor good human beings. We should not judge people by their externa l app earance.

60.6

I

Use a diccionary of idioms o r ano,her good diction ary arc associated with these rhings.

to find out which as ... a.s ... sim iles

l a pancake 2 a brush 3 gold 4 brass

5 a bone

English Idioms in

Use 129

Key Unit i i. I

1 by hook or b y crook \10

D

means using illegal methods if necessary means nothing will stop me means I was very determ\ned

DONTK:--!OW/ CA!';T-r£LL

v'

0

u

0

D

2 at loggerheads

means have a good relationship mea ns hate each o ther means disagree very strongl y

YES

NO

0

v

c v

OON'T KNO\\I/ CAKTTEl.1.

L1 v'

0

L.J

Y l~S

NO

DO>l'T Ki-;OW/ CAN'T TF.1.1.

0 0

v

:1

v'

LI

3 p ay through the nose means suffer in some way means pay a sm all sum of money rneans pay a large sum of mo ney

2 A

3 D

4 F

v

c

r1

LJ

i.2

1 E

i.3

l M y fa ther put his foot down when I said I wa nted a car for my seventeenth birthday. He said I was too young. 2 H er words put the cat among the pigeons; Jim is furio us. 3 You' ll be pleased to hear we arrived safe and sound in Peru. 4 He was lying through his tee th when he said he had got a first-class grade in his exam; the truth is he fa iled.

5

6 B

Unit ii ii. I

In CIDJ and CJDE these idioms are to be found under the followi ng head words: l pick (both )

2 earth (both) 3 ground (ClDI); stand (CIDE) 4 knife (both) 5 head (C1 Dl); bang (CIDE) 6 daylights {CIDI); this idiom is not in CIDE

I 30

iL2

·1 back and with a bump can be omitted 2 either all o r the could be omitted 3 most can be omitted 4 living could be omitted

ii.3

1 2 3 4 5 6

bill could be replaced hy tab bump could be replaced by bang or jolt stand could be replaced by hold sticking could be replaced by putting banging could be replaced by hitting scared could be replaced by fright ened

English Idioms in Use

ii.4

Possible answers: l look a gift horse in the mouth - always l1sed in a negative sentence You shouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth! 2 be pushing up the daisies - always used in a continuous form We'll all he pushing up the daisies by then.' 3 be on the brink of- always followed by a noun or an -ing fo rm Newspaper reports say that the company is on the brink of financial disaster. 4 tie yourself up in knots - always used reflexively She tied herself up in knots trying to explain why she had written to him like that. 5 be man enough - always followed by an infinitive with tn Are J'UU man enuugh to accept the chaflenge?

ii..5

informal 6 formal

2 humorous

3 liter•lrY

4 old-fashioned

5 very informal

Unit I I. I

These two idioms both mean {eel t>oorly I not very well: feel off-colour feel under the weather These two idioms borh mean be gettinfi better after an illness: be o n t he road to recovery he on t he mend T hese four idioms all mean be crazy: be as nutty as a fruitcake be nor all there be off your trolley be a basket case These four idioms all mea n die: give up rhc ghost bite the dust pop your clogs

fall off your perch

1.2

l sore 8 fiddle

1.3

l fall off }'Our perch 2 3 4 5

1.4

2 b itter 9 right

3 itchy

4 warmed 10 sandwich

5 pill

6 screw

7 rechaq~e

kick the bucket bite the dust pop your clogs give up the ghost

1 I've gor itchy feet. - Where would you li ke to go?

2 He's as right as rain now. - That is a relief! He's not right in the heac.I. - I know, Jane to ld me he w~s off his rocker. 4 I'm going to tell him what I think of hi111. - Good . Give him a d ose of his own mechcine. 5 Dad's a bit off-colour today. - Oh dear, I hope he's OK romorrnw. 6 Failing che exam was a bitter pill to sw
.)

English Idioms in Use

13 I

Follow up There are probably a lot of idioms relating to madness and death in English because these are difficult s ubjects and people feel more comfortable ralking abour them in an indirect way. As many of the idioms used are -.·ery informal, it wollld be easy to offend someone if you used them in an inappropriate siruation.

Unit 2 2.1

in seventh hca vcn th rilled to bits

2.2

J jump for joy 2 gr in and bear it 3 be floating on air 4 do something for kicks I get a kick out of something 5 sour grapes 6 be on top of the world

1.3

l The child was thrilled to hits to have her photo in the paper. 2 I fdt as if I w<'ts floating on air as I ran down rhe h ill into his arms. 3 Why does Marti look so our of sorts today? 4 Don't make suc h a fuss. It's no t rhe end of the world! 5 Your telephone call has really made my
2.4

1 Good news - if somcrhini; makes your day, it ma kes ~·ou feel happy. 2 No - down in the dumps means miserable. 3 H or-air ballooning - boo r cleaning is not something that many people find exciting. 4 Unhappy - when you grin and bear it, you try to m;1ke the be5t nf ::i l'ituation that you are not happy with. 5 News of the illness of a close friend. A heavy shower of rain might make )'OU damp (wet), but it wouldn't put a damper on the event. 6 No one enjoys the company of a misery gurs - being with a miserable persofl can make you fed misen1ble too. 7 'Of course, that model is very unreliable!' is the sort of unpleasant remark that someone might ma ke out of sour grapes. 8 Just as a damper makes ;:l. piano quieter, so something that puts a damper on an event quietens it down, makes it less fun. 9 Quite a lot of the images are based on the concept of h3.ppincss making you fed as if

on cloud nine

on top of rhe world

over the moon

you are nm on the ground bm up in the air.

Unit l 3.1

3.2

These pairs of idioms mean more or lc:ss the same thi ng: went off the deep end I did bis nut gave him an earful I gave him a piece of her mind drove him up the v11all I sent him round t he bend put his ba<.:k u p I rubbed him u p the \Vrong way here

8 wics'

I 32

English Idioms in Use

2 terms

3 car

4 went

5 ::ifrer

6 out

7 screw

3.3

Yesterday I h ad rerrible toothache. lt hurt a lot and I guess that's wh>' I was in a bad temper al l day. Everything anyone said seemed to put my back up and, in the end, l blew a fuse with rhc person I share my office with. Even when I'm in a good m ood, she sends me round rhe twist with her constant chatrer and yesterday l had had it up to here w ith her after only ren minutes. I really gave her an earful an d the result is that we arc no longer on speaking terms. I know I'll have to apologise for doing my nut like that, but perhaps I'll \Vair a while. It's much easier to work when she isn'r talking to me! Perhaps l should give her a piece of my mind more often.

3.4

Possible answers; The answers to the questions with even numbers here a re fairly fixed, but t hose wich odd n umbers are more open. (The answers given below to the odd-numbered questions are those of one of the authors.) Check your answers wirh your teacher o r another good speaker of English if you are not s ure \'1-'hc-ther they are correcc or not. l People sniffing drives me up the wall. 2 put/set the ca t among the pigeons; ruffle someone's feathers 3 Yes, a teacher once wcnr off t he deep end when someone flew a paper a~rupl ane in the classroom. 4 fed up to rhe back teeth; your: blood is up; after your blood; out for blood; ger/put someone's back up; give someone an earful; give someone a piece of your mind 5 A friend recently rubbed me up the w rong way when he told me something I didn't want to hear. 6 I've had it uf) to here is usually accompanied by the speaker's hand indicating the top of hisn1cr head. 7 l son1etimes give people \Vho tnake unsolicited phone calls selling things a piece of n1y mind - yes, l know they're only doing thei r job, bur ir can be extremely annoying. 8 blow a iuse

Unit 4 4.1

l l dol'l't have the faintest idea where he is today; you'll have to ask somebody else. 2 The title of rhe CD has a familiar ring to it, but l don't thin k I've ever heard it. 3 My cousin knows the rnx laws inside out, so if you want advice on your tax, he'll hel p you. 4 I can't for the life of me think whar it was I came into the kitchen for. 5 I saw Tom and Lily cogecher in a restaurant looking adoringly into each other's eyes. I put two and two together, and decided they must be madly in love.

4.1

1 alw-ays thought I knew my computer inside out, hut the other d-;\y it started to crash every time I opened a certain program. I could n ot for the life of me understand why it was doing this, and I didn't have the faintest idea I the foggiest (idea) I a due about w hat to do ro fix it. I rang rhe helpline which l had used in rhc past, and after about 20 minutes I spoke ro someone wh o said h is name was Patrick, a nd that he was there to he lp me. H e gave me some advice which had a familiar ring to it from previous calls I had made co the same helpline. I put two and two together, and concluded that they give the same advice to everybody, and that ir's just :i \vay of gcninp: rid of rou. T he computer still crashes every time l open the program.

4.3

1 No, that name d oesn't ring any bells with me. l J on't think I've met her. 2 I'm (rea ll y) out of touch with TV soap operas these days. I never watch them .

English Idioms in Use

133

3 She knows hn stuff when it 1:omes t0 the history of this are~. I She knows the history of the area inside out. 4 I got (hold of) the "'·rong end of rhe stick and ir caused (a lot of) problems. 5 Her name rings a bell. 1 may have met her. 4.4

I haven't (got) I don'r have a clue how tu use the photocopier. Do you think rou could help me? 2 Thaven't (got ) I don't have the faintest idea where I left tha r letter I brought for you. 1'm really sorry. ) l haven't {got} I don't have the foggiest {idea} ·what she's talking, abuut. She's crnzy!

Unit 5 5.1

Philip: Yes, J think he's got the message. 2 Gerry: Yes, that should definitely reach her a lesson. 3 Brnd: Yes, they've ccn:iinly giYcn us food for thought. 4 ick: Yes, I'm su re rhe whole thing is :i figment of his imagination. 5 Steve: Ye. , it "vas imporranr to set/ put the record straight.

5.2

's iG R A p i £

c-

0

.

v ,

N £

A

N

~I I

N

·o 1 o w' N

·:~

G H

TJ

s

I

5.3

1 I want to know where I stand. One day you say you love me, the next day you say I'm just a friend. It's dri\'ill~ me crazy. 2 He spent £500 of my money. I'll never lend him m y credit card again. l'vc learnt my lesson. 3 I
5.4

Possible answers:

:

Check your answers with your tt:ach~r o r anoth~r good speaker of English if you are not sure w hether rhe~- are correct or nor. I bought a che:ip brush to wash the dishes from someone who came ro the door selling things. 1 learnr my lesson - it fell ro pieces after a wcekl 2 I flew with a very bad airli ne onc.:e, just bec;rnse rhe ticket \-vas cheap. T he flight was del:iyed and ,·err uncomfortable. I decided not to c.:ornplain and just put it down ro experience. 3 I wanted to be a diploma t when J was abo ut 18. I got some information :ibout the joh, then h;.~d secon
I 34

English Idioms in Use

Unit 6 6.1

1 His Internet company has gone from strength to strength in the last s ix monchs. He'~ making a lot of money no\v. 2 The flood ruined o ur ol cl kitchen, hut it was a hles<;ing in disgu ise, bemuse t he ins uran<.:e company paid for a completely new one. .., .) T his new model is not the be-all-and-cnJ-all of digital camera~, but it certainly ha!:i many technica l features that others do nor have. 4 Your offer t o drive us to the airport ma kes a ll the d ifference co o ur travel plans. 5 Your plan to persuade Lela to join the committee worked like magic .

6.2

Ac fitst we thought the new road would spoil our village, hm in fact it ·was a blessing in disguise and the village shops are d oing more business. 2 I sprayed the stain remover untu my jacket an
6.3

1 b)

6.4

1 The photocopier has complet ely given up the ghost. We need a new one. 2 I didn't thi nk I h~d the ghost of a ch ance of passing the exam, hut I did. 3 My new moro rbi ke works/goes/ runs like a
6.5

1 You succeed . 2 We don't use if with the simple tense forms. So we can say 'She's going places', 'I knew she would go plaixs' o r 'She'll go places, I'm sure', hur not 'She goes places' o r 'She went places'. 3 That it most often occurs in the negati,·c, with not.

2 C)

3 a)

4 h)

Unit 7 7. I

I lefr holding the ha hy

2 bri<.:k wall 3 stumbling block 4 dire straits

5 draw a blank 6 have you over a barrel 7 face the music

7.2

1 Easier said than d one.

2 Try not to spread yo urself tuu rhin. 3 I wish l h::i.dn 't ptlt my foot in it. 4 Getting o lder is a fact of life. 5 Sarah's m o ther decided it was rime to tell her about the birds and t he bees. 6 C hildren are taught the facts of lifo in pr imary s<.:hool.

7 .3

7.4

I 2 3 4

dig yourself into a bo le be Ide hol
hole

2 hlank

.1 rh in

4 stniits

5 wall

6 b lock

7 barrel

English Idioms in Use

135

Unit 8 8. I

1 tie up loose ends - finish off final lirrlc tasks 2 come to light - be discovered 3 give something a shot - try something 4 get to grips with something - undersrand and deal with something 5 make do - manage with something of worse qua lity 6 to be on the safe side - just in case 7 wave a magic wand - find an easy solution 8 get to the bottom of something - uncover the truth

8.2

l runnel

2 waYe

3 loose

4 prayers

.) IT

6 bag

7 light

8 fa ll

8.3

l

2 3

4 5 6

7 8

8.4

I'd like ro try that new bowling alle;'. Let's give it a whirl this evening. I'm finding it quite hard to get to grips with my new role at work. When the business failed, Paul Yanished, leaving his partner to pick up the pieces. Some important new evidence h as come I h as been bro ught to light in the last fev-..· days. r hope that we'll be able to get to the bo ttom of wh.:it's been going on. New medical research has shed I is s hedding light on rhe causes of heart attacks. As soon as I met Joshua's family, everything fell into place. Jn the investigation into their acco unts, a n umber of errors have been brought I have come to light.

I I'll wash your car for youl - You' re the answer to my p rayers~ 2 Let's go home now. - Soon. I've still got some loose ends to tic up. 3 The job's in the bag! - I h ope you're right! 4 We'
8,5

1 light at the end of the runnel 2 pick up the pieces 3 wave a magic wand 4 get to the bottom of it

Unit 9 9.1

I Tim: good situation. He has been freed from some un p leasant task or responsihility. 2 Sally: bad situation. She has had to take the blame instead of other people. 3 Carmen: bad situation. Sht: has ro do what everyone else cells her co do, wht:nevt:r they wa nt it. 4 Fiona: good sicuarion. She has persuaded someone to let her do what she wanrs.

9.2

1 into

9.3

·1 I think there is a hidden agenda in that letter she sent TO the boss.

2 down

3 at/on

4 unto

5 ro

2 1 thought 1 was going to h ave to represent my class at the staff-student meeting, but I've got off the hook I they've let me off the hook, 3 She's an awfu l hoss to work for; the secretarie~ are at her beck and c.ill, eight hours a day, seven days a week. 4 Ht: has been at/on the receiving end of a lot of criticism from chc press i11 rt:cent weeks. 5 They cause all the trouble, and I always have to carry the can. 6 I don't want someone telling me what to do all rbe time. I'd r athe r be left to m y own devices.

136

English Idioms in Use

9.4

Possible answers: Check your answers with your teacher or another good speaker of English if you are nnt sure whether they are correct or not. 1 I think there is a hidden agenda in the proposa l co reduce the staff in order to make rhe company more efficient. I think they want us ro do more \\'Ork for the same pay. 2 The Prime .Minister's spin doctors immediately tried ro make the bad situarion sOLmd positive when they spoke to reporters. 3 The school bent the rules and let him juin the course even though he was under 18. 4 Tn my country we are due to go to the polls next year. I hope wt: ~et a new government.

Unit I 0 1 a can of worms 2 the acid rest

I 0.1

3 a vicious circle 4 in a nutshell S on the other hand 6 the other side of the coin 7 tie yourself up in knots 8 go round in cirdcs 9 be ea lied to accounr 10 won't give an inch l 0.2

1 the :icid test

2 tying yourself up in knots 3 the pros and cons of a situation 4 putting it in a nutshdl 5 going round in circles 6 a vicious circle 10.3

1 In some ways it's glamorous being a pop star. Bur the other side of the coin is that you no longer have any privacy. 2 It's time these petty criminals were called to account for t heir irresponsible action5. 3 I knuw Bill's a nice friendly person, but, be that as it may, he still has to pull his weight in the office. 4 On the one hand, l think Janna might have the best person:dity for the job, but, on the other, \1ina has more experience. 5 If he's apologised. I think you should give him the benefit of the doubt. 6 It would he opening a can of worms to inquire ahout his finances.

10.4

l 2 3 4 5

I tied myself up in knots trying TO explain to Karl how I felt about him. I'
Unit 11 I I. I

1 It's a small world. 2 The more, the merrier. 3 It's six of one and half a dozen of rhe other. 4 How time flies!

English Idioms in Use

I 37

5 No such luck! 6 I can tak e it or leave it. 7 Don'r make me: laugh!

8 No way! 11.2

1 2 3 4 5

I 1.3

I It's a lovely present. Thanks a million. 2 You won't find it difficu lt to learn to ski. There's rea lly nothi ng ro it. 3 lt's neither here nor there vvhich hotel you decide to stay in - they' re both excellent. 4 Let's ha ,.e a really big wedding. The more, the merrier. 5 You can say that again! I cou ldn't agree with you more! 6 He's t ra velled a lot. You name it, he's been the re.

I 1.4

It's six of o ne a nd half a dozen of the other. 2 It's
Cct a life! You haven't livedl lt'sffhat's the srory of my life! Such is I T hat 's life! T his is the life !

Unit 12 12.1

l B: Yes, I know. One minute she was angry, the next mi nute she \·Vas all sweetness and light. 2 B: Yes, apparently they're like gold dust. 3 B: Yes, I think he's jusc asking for t rouble I asking for it (asking for it is mo re informal). 4 B: Yes, it's second to none. 5 B: Yes, she's certai nl y a hard act to follow.

12. 2

1 She really gets on my nerves sometimes. 2 T he last President \.Yas an out-a nd -our cruel monstc:r, and rhe new one is nor m uch better. 3 I don't thi nk yo u shou ld cast aspersions on him. H e's nor here ro defend himself. 4 The scientists did some ground-breaking research on h uman genes. 5 She had al ready upset me, bur to ac..ld insult to injury she told me I was ugly.

12.3

1 poke fun at 2 grate

I 2.4

1 They cri ticised her very strongly, but she gave as good as she got and made t hem shut up. 2 This dining table is just made for this room. The wood marches the doors perfectl y. 3 Why are you giving me such a hard time? I know I was wrong, but I said I'm sorry. I can't do any more. 4 We stayed at a luxurious five-srar hotel. It w as our of this world.

Unit 13 13. 1

I 38

1 never do anything by halves 2 throw the baby our with the bathwater 3 leave a lot to be desired 4 get/jump/leap on the bandwagon 5 a laughing stock

English Idioms in Use

13.2

1 The new documentary ch.:rnncl on TV leaves a lot to be d esired. 2 My brothe r never does anything by halves; he designed a nd huilt his nwn house, and designed mosr of the furniture too! 3 He thinks everyone is afraid of him, but in fac.:t h e is a laughing stuck. 4 Yes, 1 think we should change the system , but T thi nk we should not throw the baby out

with the bathwater. 5 Five years ago, there were not man y companies selling on th e lnten1et, hut now

everyone has got/jumped/leapt on rhc bandwagon. 13.3

1 She pretended to d isagree with everyone else in order ro make them d iscuss I th ink about things mo re deeply. 2 No, not nice to ride in. Rough and ready docs not refer to tim<:, but means of low or poor quality. 3 He claimed he was a trained electrician, hut he was lying. 4 Probably not, since it is not as good as people say it is. No. You'd be rather unhappy, since you would be very irritated or exasperated with your friend.

s

13.4

1 That n<:w motorway project has all the makin~s of a disaster for chc en\'ironment. It will go through the middle o f a wild life area. 2 Zarn made a real exhibition of herself in class the other
Unit 14 14.1

Sentences 1, 2, 3 and 6 a rc basically negat ive whe reas the orhcrs a re positive. l\:otice that t he context of sentence 3 suggest~ the take less care of )'our appearance meaning of let -yourself go w hereas the context of sentence 7 suggests the meaning of relax completely.

14.2

1 lid 2 hard/rough/tough 7 balance 8 circa m

14. 3

Possible answers:

3 insign ificance

4 of

5 blow

Check your answers \Vith your ceacher or anothe r good English speaker if you w hether they arc correct or nor.

2 ..., .)

4

5 6 7

8 14.4

6 lu mp

~re

nor sure

Yes, I was once left in the lurch when l was preparing food for a big party and all my flatmates wem o ut a nd left me on my own p reparing food for fifty people. A boss once gave me a bi t uf a ruu~h time when he wanted a lot of wurk Jorn: very quickly. I think noching of giving a ralk in front of a lot of people . I think it is important to make the most of every day you live. Writing
I is/hangs in the balance 2 keep a lid on ..., .:; blow our of (all) pwpurtion

English Idioms in Use

139

Unit IS 15. I

1 not on - inappropriate 2 one way or another - somehow 3 at the top of your agenda - important 4 over the t op - exaggerated 5 if all else fails - as a last resort 6 strike whi le the iron is hot - now

15.2

1 There's no acco unting for taste(s)! 2 You could 've fooled me! 3 (Yes,) strike while the iron is hot. 4 (I suppose Smith's) the lesser of two evils. 5 If all else fai ls.

l 5.3

1 If l were in yo u r shoes, I'd take the job in New York. 2 Asking the Managing Director for his ID was a really stupid mistake to make. I'm sure 3 4 5 6 7 8

my colleagues w ill never let me live it down. lmproving office morale is sa id to be high on rhe new boss's agenda.

We hadn't intended to stay there so long, but one thing led to another. Take your chance now. Strike while the iron is hot. I can'r unde rstand wha t people sec in the exhibition. There's no accounting for tastes. If all else fails, I suppose I'll ha ve ro go and live somewhere else.

Given the choice between watching fomball or golf, l suppose footbal l is the lesser of two evils.

15.4

Check yo ur answers w ith your teacher or a nother good speaker of English if you are not sure whether they are correct or not.

1 If I were in the Prime Minister's shoes, I' d listen t o what the people are saying. 2 Sorting out my study is at the top of my agenda at the moment.

3 Speaking to his mother like that is just not on, as far as I'm concerned. 4 I'm determined to visit my nephew in Australia, one way o r another.

5 I think that Sue's furious reaction to my saying she'd put on a bit of weight was over the top.

6 In my opinion, if you compare smoking a pipe and smoking cigarettes, then smoking a pipe is the lesser of two evils.

Unit 16 16.1

1 be caught napping 2 have a narrow escape 3 safe and sound 4 be led astray 5 by the skin of your teeth 6 be panic Stations 7 leave well alone 8 go out on a limb

'6.1

1 When Da\'\d suggested they should come and stay for a weekend, it set alarm bells ringing in my mind. 2 The patient's life is hanging by a thread . 3 Having to go to work is a necessary evil.

4 Why do some people a lways cut th\ngs fine?

I 40

English Idioms in Use

5 They arc on a knife-edge waiting for the results of Brian's medical cesrs. 6 As the buil ding was on fire, he had n o choice but to put his life in rhe firemen's hanck and climb our of the window and onto their ladder. 7 You'II be taking your lift.: in your hands if yuu make a speech like char co such an

audience. 8 I t hink it would be more sensible ro lea\"t' well alone.

16.3

1 be/go out on a limb 2 be caught napping 3 lead someone astray 4 have a narrow escape 5 set alarm bells ringing 6 on a knife-edge

16.4

1 l suppose that exams are a necessary evil. 2 It was such a relief when Ralph arrived back from his Arctic expedition safe and sound. 3 You took your life in your hands by agreeing to go up in a helicopter \virh such an inexperienced pilot. 4 The hurricane seems w be gettin~ a bit t00 close to our town for comforc. 5 ff 1 were you, I would leave well alone. 6 It was panic stations before rhe imporram visirors arrived, but we managed to get everythi ng under control in time for their visic. 7 The Smiths caught the train by the skin of their teeth. 8 I hope the other students won'r lead our son astray.

Unit 17 17. I

1 go all out - make a lot of effort 2 be a doddle - be very easy to do 3 go through the motions - do something without enrhusiasm or effort 4 be heavy-going - be difficult or tiresome to do 5 pull your weight - do your fair share 6 have a bash - make an attempt

17.2

1 I wish you'd pull your finger out and help me move the furniture. 2 Sam didn't like the exam, bur I thought it was a piece of cake. 3 I'm going ro get rhe job somehow, by h ook or by crook. 4 Sally could, at a push, take over the project for you. S The test was as easy as falling off a log. 6 Don't worry if you don't win the game - just as long as you give it your all. 7 Why don't you have a go at repairing the washing machine yourself? 8 Persuading h im to do what 1 wanted v.fa s like taking candy from a baby. 9 Max will always go out of his way to help others. 10 I had no problems using rhe public transporr system there - it was ch ild's play. (i.e. no article used in this idiom)

17.3

1 our 9 ar

17.4

1 2 :) 4

2 through

3

out

4 out

5 of

6 by

7 by

8 from

Course, you will. It's as easy as falling off a log. Ler me have a go. He is going out of his way to make a good impression on her. It was a piece of cake.

English Idioms in Use

141

17.5

:\ttatt, Sam and Sonya are speaking in a more informal way.

Unit 18 18. 1

I wou ldn't be seen dead working in a hambu rger restaurant. All my friends would laugh at me. l just couldn't do ir. 2 l feel duty bound to go home and see my parenrs at least once a mo nrh. 3 I've had enough coffee, thanks, bur another one o f those lovely cakes wouldn't go amiss. 4 l think rh:-i.t CD player he's trying to sell is stolen. If l were you, l wouldn't touch it with a barge pole. 5 It's not worth my while trying the exam again. l fa iled rhe first time, and J' ll probably fail again.

18.2

I

T

2

H

I

N G

(A

c

0 3 4

s

H 0

v

L

K

£

18.3

l You're in luck. We ha ve just o ne room left fo r ronigh r. 2 If push comes to shove, we'll just have to sell rhe apartment. .) "' I don't want to go with a big grnup of p\:uple. l want to do my own thing. 4 I got a bill today for £700 for repairs to my car. I'm relling you , 1 need a bill for £700 like I need a hole in the head right at this moment.

18.4

1 if need be 2 rake your pick ., be dying l() is always in the continuo us form (so we do n't say '1 always die ro meet hi m.') .) 4 in keeping w ith

I 8.5

Possible answers: Check your answers v: ith you r n~ac h er o r another good speaker of Engl ish if you are not sure whether they are correct or not. l I'd possi bly give anything to meet the singer Bob Dylan. 2 I'm dying rn see a visitor from Spain who is coming ro stay at my house.

Unit 19 19. I

1 It's unlikely he'll manage co climb th e mountain without oxygen. 2 lt's neither likely nor unlike!)' - all that is clear is tha t M olly herself now has no control over what migh t happen. extremely likely you 'll guess his role correctly. It's 3 4 lt's unlikely that she'll be able to cun1plctc her course. 5 Jr's extremely likely, it even seems cerr;:i in , chat Bech will come top. 6 lt's neither likely nor unlikely that Rob will pass - either result seems ro he equally possible. 7 It sounds unlikely that the library will ha\'e the req uired book. 8 It is extremely likely, the speaker is in fact certain, that Green wi ll lose his job.

19.2

1 0:0 such luck! 2 just my luckt 3 It's the luck of the draw. 4 Don't push your luck!

142 English Idioms in Use

5 I'll take pot luck. 6 You should be so lucky!

19.3

They've been rnarric
2 We've done all we can. Now the results of the election are in the lap uf the gods. ,

J Alex is chancing his arm a hit only applying to one university. 4 Nu prizes for guessing who got the job in the end! 5 The cards were stacke
l 9.4

l'ossible answers: Check your answers with your teacher or another good speaker of "English if yo u :lrc nor sure whether they are correc t or nor. I went ro the theatre on the off-chance and managed to get a ticket. I knew who would win the prize - it was a foregone conclusion. I did as much work as I could for the exam. Now it's in the lap o f the gods. I ran all the way to the station, bur still missc
Unit 20 20. I

1 He is always the odd one out. If all his fricnJs do one sport, he does a different one. 2 When he lost all his money, he still tried to keep up ~ppe:lr;:mccs even though he could not afford his lifestyle. 3 Sometimes it's better co keep a low profile at work. In that way, nobody asks you ro do d ifficu lt jobs. 4 She made a name for herself hy being rhe first woman to climb .\fount Everest. He's always putting on airs and graces, hut everyone knrm:s he's just <'In ordin;uy person with a very ordinary background.

s

20.2

Z0.3

I Anybody who is anybody will he at the concert on friday, so don't m iss it. 2 It's not politically correct co refer to 'underdeveloped' countries a ny more. If yo u don't want to offend people, you should say 'developing nations'. 3 He was voted 'Best up-and-coming actor' of 2001. 4 They emp loyed a lot of young people as they felt rhey needed new blood. 5 A lot of rhc people who live in those huge houses necu the beach are {rather /a bit I very) toffee-nosed. 6 My boss is a rough diamond, but he's a very nice guy in fact. 7 She was a pilfar of society, bur rhen it turned out she \Vas inrnl\'ed in the illeg;1I drug trade. You are rising to better positions; you arc becoming ve ry successful.

2 They have no home, no money and no joh. 3 They are rising very rapidly in the industry and probably making a lot of money. 4 They think they are better than other people, especially people of a lo.,.ver social class.

20.4

l a pil lar of society 2 a rough d iamond 3 a high-flyer

English Idioms in Use

143

Unit 21 21.1

l of

21.2

Possible answers:

2 for

3 down in

4 to

5 at

6 on

C heck your answers wirh your teacher or another good speaker of English if you are not sure whether rhcy are co.rrecr or nut. 1 I'm sick and. tired of rraffic jams. 2 I felt on top of the world when l finished writing this book! 3 T he Victoria Falls in Africa took my hreath away. 4 I feel on edge if a train or plane I am on is l~tc in departing or arriving. 5 I gave a lecture once abo ut words that are very frequen t and words that are nor frequent in English. I said thar rhe word 'Belgium' wa::; not frequent (compare
Possible answers: 1 When s he told me, I was so shocked I ju.st stood there. 2 I need help, I don't know what co do I how I should react/act/behave. 3 I had always been very relaxed and in control in my job, but suddenly ... 4 I'm writing because I am desperate JI have 110 idea how I can solve my problem.

21.4

I Meering her rhere when I wasn't expecting to see her made my day. 2 I'm not s ure whether J w~nt the joh or nor. I have mixed feelings (about/towards it). 3 The good news made me jump for joy. 4 I got a chance to go to C
6 If you're feeling down in the dumps, why don't you come out with us tonight? 7 I've had my fill of job interviews - six in just two weeks! I never \Vant another one.

Unit 22 22.1

The speaker has a goud relarionship with Ann:i, Pat, rhc Browns and Jimmy, but has a had relationship with Rob, Jane, rhe dog and Jack.

22.2

1 J would immcdiarely drop a ny boyfriend that tried to two-time me. 2 Su sie has taken a shine ro her n ew teacher. ... .) Please stay in rouch with me once you go home . 4 Nita's boyfriend promised to make it up to her for forgerting her birthday. 5 There's something about him that always rubs me up the wrong way.

6 We try to be friendly, bm the Smirh family prefer to keep themselves to themselves. 7 If you want to leave early, you' cl better try and stay in the boss's good books. 8 Rana really seems ro have it in for me to
22.3 22.4

b)

2 a}

3 h)

4 a)

s

b)

Possible ,mswers; Check your a nswers with your tea\.'.her or another good speaker of English if you a re nor sure whether they are correct or nor. 1 TradiciooaHy tbt: ch ild will bring an <tpple fo r the teacher, hut they might try a ll sorts of other things like helping ro tidy up, behaving well in the d assroom, and so on. 2 You are confused - although you may not yet realise it.

I 44

English Idioms in Use

3 You might p
Unit 23 23. r

1 a small fortune 2 I3ig deal! 3 larger than life 4 make it big

23.2

1 .\thri:i is miles away. 2 Chairs are sold in all shapes and sizes. 3 The new school is a far cry from tht: old um:. 4 You can see he's in love. It sticks/stands out a mile. Or: H e's in love. You cJn see/sp ot it a mile off.

23.3

2 3 4

5 6

23.4

She's 40 next week, but she doesn't warn ro make a big thing of it. She'd prder just to go o ut for a meal with h~r husband rather th an have a big party with lots of people. For any person in a temporary job, the possibility of unemployment looms large, especially in a time of economic recession. T he unions are prepared to d iscuss chc problem, bur the l'mploycrs \vii i not budge an inch. They say they have made their final offer, and rhnr's tha t. We ha ve a new boss sta rring next week. He's ~ bit o f an unknown quantity - nobody has m et him or knows much about him. I like having friends to stay in my flat, but only for a wuplc of
Meanings and possible sentences: the m iddle ground: something "vhich two people who a re argu ing or w ho disagree can agree on H e is very good at finding the middle ground in meetings when people are disagreeing. rhe middle of nowhere: a place which is remore and isol::lted, and very far away from cities or big cowns

He owns a louely summer cottage in Lhe m iddle of nowhere, a perfect escape stresses of cit'y life.

from the

be caught in the middle: find yourself trapped between two people who are arguing or disagreeing Jim and Mary were having a terrible argument m1d 1 was caugbt i11 the middle. 1 felt very embarrassed and uncomfortable.

English Idioms in Use

145

Unit 24 living in the lap of luxu ry

24.1

on the breadline

24.2

1 Bob (So far Anne's bu si ness venture has been cosrly rather tha n profi t::ible.) 2 Colin (Both cars cost a lot, but Daisy clearly feels tha t it ·was n or money well spent. ) 3 Fred (Ee.I's d augh ter is extravagant even though she ma y have p lenry of mone y.) 4 Harry (Gill has lost hope of success. )

24.3

1 making 2 pick 8 pay 9 w ater

24.4

well-to -do I well-heeleJ

3 lap

4 fort une

5 mo ney

6 tighten

7 nose

10 making

l live in the lap o f lux ury 2 tighten your b eh 3 pay through t he nose 4 s pe nd money like water 5 a 1noney-spmne r 6 a rip -off

Unit 25 25.1

1 paper

9 sh op

25.2

2 mill 10 head

3 h er

4 Step

5 coming

6 rut

7 go

8 sa ck

·1 snowed under with work

2 be headhuntcd 3 pu ll o ur all the stops 4 be given the sack 5 in a rut I gee out of a rut 6 (at the bonom/rop of) the career la dder

25.l

l behind the scenes - hidden 2 deac.1-end - w ithout prosp ects 3 get rhe sack - be dismissed 4 off the record - unofficially

5 on hold - d elayed 6 pull our a ll r.he srops - m ake a n effort 7 rushed off your feet - very busy 8 up-and-coming - p romising

15.4

1 snowed 8 beh ind

25.5

Possible answers:

2 stops

3 cut

4 hold

5 get

6 climb

7 hands

Check yo ur answers with your teac her o r another good speaker of English sure whether rhe y are correct or not.

if you

are not

T here isn 't muc h of a career ladder in my profession. Several people got the sack from m y workplace las t year. The staff that are left a re n ow up to t heir cars in wo rk. They certainl y have thei r work cut o ur fo r them. The shake-up has offered m anagement opporrunities for some up-and-coming workers. My working day is \' ery rarely run-of-the-n1il\.

146

English Idioms in Use

Unit 26 26. 1 Time by leaps and bounds drag your feet fast an d furious get a move on step by step on the spot (when it means immediately)

26.1

,

.

2 " 4 5 6

..)

7

8

Place all m·cr the place lefr, righr and centre on t he spot (when it means in the same place) the wor
Juan is making progress by lcap-s and bounds . Excitement is at fever pitch. W ithin minutes the fire brigade was on the spot. The ~ituation has gone beyond. a joke. The holiday got off ro a flying start. I looked for you all over rhe place. The film is about two men on the run . I' ll take you through it step by step.

26.3

1 h)

26.4

1 Yes, because she would be complirnenring yo u on your rapid progress. 2 No, because rhe speaker finds your behaviour seriously worrying. 3 To hurry. 4 No, it is crimina ls. 5 You may drag your feet when you arc tired (in the literal meaning of the phrase) but, as an idiom, you drag your feet when you ~ue reluctam to do something. 6 Thrillers tend to be fast and furious whereas lm·e stories tend to be much more slowmovmg. 7 Yes, because it suggests tha r it is ~ ucccssful from che very beginning. 8 You can keep a diary. 9 Very untidy. 10 Very excited or ani;ry.

2 c)

3

;1)

4 a)

5 a)

Unit 27 27. I

l a slip of the congue

2 3 4 5

raking t he mick/mickcy lust for words smal l talk a pack of lies

27.2

I didn 't knovv what to say. I was (cornplecely) lost for words. 2 Nor one wor d of his story was t rue. It wa s (alI) a pack of lies. 3 I didn't mean to say it; it was a slip o f the tongue. 4 I didn't men to offend her. I was just taking t he mick/mickcy. 5 It wasn 't a very serious conversation , just sm all talk.

17.l

1 She's had a big persona\ prnbkm. Wc sliould not make light of it.

2 H e to ld rne he had sru
English Idioms in Use

147

5 1 said I thought she should ger herself a boyfriend. Ir was an off-the-cuff remark.

27.4

I

M

lw

I

A

2

4c

0

I

K.

N T

0

B

R D £ SA

B 0

(A

T

T H

Unit 28 18. I

1 2 3 4

get a word in edgewars - lr's impo:;sih\e ro interrupt her, she talks non-stop. miss rhc point - She didn't rt:ally un
won't take no for an ~nswer - She keeps on asking, even though we s
5 (repeat) word for word - She rold rne exactl y \.Vhar her friend said.

28.2

1 2 3 4

28.3

1 The future of the project is very uncertain. N o one knows if it will continue. 2 Probably nor. The sentence: mea ns it is not in her character I nor typical of her to help. 3 Small prinr is usm11ly fo und a r rhe borrom of contracts, insurance polic:ies, adverrisemenrs, ere. We can a lso say fine print. 4 Probably nor. If you reply 'T hat's a matter of opinion', yo u us ually do nor agree w irh rhe other person. 5 or necessaril y a n official lang uage, bur a language rhar people use in everyday business and for communicacion herween gro u ps .,., ·ho have differenr first lang uages.

28.4

Hila ry will never take no for an answer. J oss alw
loud

2 rail order

3 beside

4 matt<:r-of-facr

Unit 29

148

29 . 1

I fr's rhe last srraw (rhar breaks rhe c~mel 's back ). 2 Bir ds of a feather {fl ock together). 3 Too m a ny cooks (spoil the broth ). 4 W hile the car's away, (rhe mice will play). 5 T here's no point I lr's no good crying oYer spi lt milk. 6 D on·r pur a ll your eggs in o ne basket.

29.2

1 Many hands make lighr work. 2 Birds of a fea ther (flock rogerher). 3 Absence makes rhe heart g row fonder.

29.3

1 Take care of the pennies/ pence and the pounds will rake care of themselves. 2 T he grass is always greenet on the other s ide of the fence. 3 AU work and no play makes Jack a du!\ hoy. 4 People who live in glass ho uses sho uldn't rh row srones.

English Idioms in Use

5 A bird in rhc hand is worth two in the bush. 6 Birds of a feather flock tug.ether. 7 While chc cat's away, the mice will play. 8 It's th~ last straw rhat hreaks the camel's back.

29.4

I Absence makes th~ hearr grow fond(·r. 2 Blood is thicker than water. 3 Many hands make light work. 4 Actions speak louder tha n words. 5 There's no point I It's no good crying over spilt mi lk. 6 A bird in the hand (is worth two in the hush).

Unit 30 30. I

1 mi nd 7 mind

l memory 8 memory

3 mind 9 mind

4 memory ·10 memory

5 inin
6 mind

30.2

1 I don't th ink I know him, hut his name rings a hell. 2 What is the word for it? I can't remember it. Oh d ear, it's on the tip of my tongue. 3 If I try, l shollld be able to rememb~r the nxip1: for you. Let me rack my br::tins. 4 Try not to interrupt his train of thought. 5 My son is much more adventuro us chan I was. Ac his agt' rhe thought of tra\iclling abroad alone would never have crossed my inind.

30.3

1 Out of sight, out of rnin
3 push 4 Thinking hard feels like :;cn:td1ing ;rour brain, making ic do something rh at is d iffirnlt for it to do.

s

leisurely wafk

6 1ump 7 carry 8 ring a bell

30.4

1 came/sprang went slip ped racked came/sprang

2 3 4 5

6 jogged

Unit 31 3 l.'

1 it's early days yet - Sumcone as ks you if yol! like an Englis h course afo.:r o nly one dny. 2 w ithin living memory - Ne\'<:r, for as kmg as anyo ne c.:an remember, h as there heen so much rain. 3 si nce che year
3 1.2

1 This c;f things to come. 2 Pe0ple have been doi n~ this cn:ry 5pring since chc year dot.

English Idioms in Use

149

3 A S<::ienti.'-t is on the.: thrc~hold of
31.3

1 It's only a matter of rime before we discover life on other planets. 2 At the end of the day, you can never trust a politician. 3 T never learnt the piano as a child, so I'm making up for lost time hy rak ing lessons. 4 In the short term, the economic situation looks good, but in the long term , the outlook is ttot so good.

5 This bicycle has seen better days. l should really ger
'7 1

31.4

in,

b)

2 hcfore, hl

3 for, a )

4 o f, a )

5 of, b)

Unit 32 32. r

l le runs like clockwork. 2 3 4 5

32.2

We set off at the crack of dawn. We were working against the clock. I've held eno ugh . Let's call it a day. It happens d1is w ay nine: times ouc of ten.

I there and then - The d octor examined me immediately. 2 once in a blue moon - l only see Patrick very rarely. 3 in no t:ime ac <111 - The new house was built very quickly. 4 off and on - Bill plays golf occasionally, buc nut often. .) doesn't have a minute ro call her own - Pa ula looks after chrt:e kids and h as
ioh.

32.3

1 from scratch 2 once io a lifetime 3 once and for all

4 from time to time 5 work
32.4

Possible answers: Check your answers with yo ur teacher or another good ~pe<1ker of Engli.sh if you are not sure whether they are conect or nut. 1 I'd lost tht: notes for my essay, su l had to start fro m scratch. 2 When I was offered the: chance to s cuJ~· in the USA, I knew su~h an opportunity \Vfn1ld come along only once in a lifetime. 3 The government should do something rn solve the problem of illegal d rugs once and for

all. 4 J see my cousins from time to time, but not regularly. 5 Rescue teams are working against the clock to search for sun-iYors of the earthquake. 6 Nine times out of ten if J buy something one day, I'll see the s;1me thing cheaper in another shop the very next day-.

I 50 English Idioms in Use

32.S

1 B: Well, l1ff and on. (Or, slightly more formally, from time to time. ) 2 B: :-..;o, 1 think we should do it now, once :rnd for all. 3 B: \Vell, w e can rry, hm nine times out of ten he's too busy co meer anyone. 4 B: Well, we'll jusr have to work against the dock to ger ir finished by then. 5 B: No, I've had enough. Let's call it a day.

Unit 33 33.1

I gc:t wind of something - hear about something secret

2 go t0 rhe ends of rhe earrh - do everything you can 3 spread like wildfire - move very fast 4 be in deep water - be in a difficult situation 5 be a drop in the ocean - be an insignificant part of somerhing 6 blow hot and cold - react in different, unpredictable ways 7 see how ihe win
33.2

8

You' ll he fine working for someone like that - he's the salt of t he earth. Unforrunat~ly, my advice fell on stony ground. Unfortunately, her angry 'vords have only added fuel to the fire/flames. I think Rosie must be in hot water - the boss has asked ro see her at once. Lance is really out of his depth in his new job. Spreading rumours like that is playing with fire. Pluck a number out of the air and multiply it by 3. T he police were unanle ro run the escaped convicts to ground.

33.3

1 2 .) 4 5 6

The n ews uf their d ivon:e spread like w ildfire. I'm ben.veen the devil and the deep blue sc:a . There is no smoke without fire. Don't say anything in the heat of the mome nt. I hate the way he blows hut and cold. I w as thrown in at the deep end v.:hen I muted university.

33.4

play with fire 2 pluck a number out of rhc air 3 a drop in rhe ocean

33.5

You may give slightly different answers here, but basically earth seems ro represent hcing practical and natural, air seems to represent vagueness and uncertainty, \Vclter seems to represent difficulty and fire seems to reprcsc:nt anger or passion.

1 2 3 4

5 6 7

Unit 34 2 B

c

34.1

I)

34.2

White-collar workers wurk in offic~s anti /J/ue-collar workers do physical work. usually in factories.

4

2 You arc green with envy. J' You are blue in the face. 4 1t is I You are in the red. 5 You are given the green lighr.

34.l

1 I was. absolutely green with envy when she won a. trip to L<..)S Angeles.

2 I'm 750 pounds in the red, and the bank has asked me to pay it back immc
English Idioms in Use

I 5I

4 You can talk to h er till ye>u're blue in t he face; she won't listen . city authorities give the green light to the nc:w wnscrvarion project, it will begin next year.

5 If the 34.4

1 I wanr to sec a <.:onrract in b lack and w hite, not just an informal agreement. 2 l w:rnted to apply for a visa, but a friend told me there is a lo t of I too much red ta p e, so I've decided to forget it. .... .) My new ho use h as a big garden, bur l don't have I haven 't got g reen fingers, so l'il probably never d o any garden ing. Wl'\S cau g ht r ed -h a n ded stealing food from che sch ool k itche n. He's a lways inrroducing r ed hcrringl> into rhe d i sc11~Si()n . 5

4 She

Unit JS 35 . 1 2 3 4

5

wide of the mark take the plunge lay/put your cards on the table back ro square o n e when the chips a rc down

6 phy ball

35.2

If you p lay your cards right, you sho u ld get a n in vitation ro her party.

2

Wh~n rhe

5

O n th e spur of the moment we decided to go away fo r the weekend.

chips are down, you learn who you r real friends are. 3 The ball is in t heir court, so we'll hil.Vc to wait a n
6 The c hildren picked Mother some flowers off t heir own bat. 7 Going by train rarh er tha n b us or car would he your best bet.

35.3

1 Let's ask Pete for advice - he's usually on the ball. 2 The government always tries to pass the buck when there arc economic problems, saying the previous regime is to blame. l'd like you each rn tt~l l us why you have decided to do a creative w riting course; Marie, would you star t the ball rolling, please? 4 Applicants all have ro agre<: to the same conditions for the rnccrvit!w in urw w e'll h ave ro do th e same. 9 He claims he can speak fluent Japanese; let's call his b lu ff and invite h im rn dinn er with our Japant!se guests.

3

Unit 36 36.1

a dark horse

2 a party anim:.11 3 a gu\ne.a pig 4 a 36.2

~old

fish

1 get/have/take the bit benveen your teeth

2 make a beeline for

3 a lone wolf 4 your bark is worse than your b ite

152 English Idioms in Use

5 chase your tail 6 make a (real) pig of yourself 36.3

I 2 3 4 5 6

36.4

Big Joe is quite harmless really, although he looks tough. He wouldn't hurt a fly. I alrca
Pat: Chris: M ike: Fiona: Eve: Joe:

No, he's a bit of a lone wolf. Busy! Ir's ridiculous! J cry ro keep up with things, but I'm just chasing my tail. Yes, he won't give up. He's really gor the bit between his teeth. Yes., I made a {rea\} pig of myself. l feel so foll now! Oh, don 't worry about him. His bark is worse than his hire. Oh yeah, he always makes a beeline for the prettiest girl in the room.

I 2 3 4

Unit 37 37.1

"I There's not (enough} room ro swing a cat at my house. 2 I'll let you know by snail mail. 3 Peter has let the cat oul of the bag. 4 The economy is going to the dogs. 5 The office staff were running round like headless chickens.

37.2

1 put the cat among the pigeons 2 a can of wo rms 3 like water off a duck 's back

37.3

1 h)

2

a)

3

c)

37.4

the b,1g

37.5

take the bull by rhc horns (meaning: act decisively, and face a difficult or challenging situation in a confident way) kill two birds w ith one stone {meaning: produce two useful results by just doing one act"1onl ;it a snail's pace {meaning: incredibly slowly) like a bear with a sore head (meaning: someone is behaving in a \'en· baJ-remperc
2 3 4

S

37.6

2 feelers

3 th e law of the jungle

I was trying ro finis h my essay for my English class by the c:n
rm

Engl;sh Idioms in Use

153

Unit 38 )!), }

2 5/?c WJ.f )ook?t?g dJggerf «N me (£sc «tgar. l W
38.2

1 You're figh ting a losing battle tryi ng

2 ~

.)

4 5 6

38.3

38.4

to persuade the teacher to tell you the exam questions before the ex
TAURUS Someone you thought was a good friend will say something very hurtful today, and later on will make it even worse I say something even more hurtful. Stay calm and don't lose your temper.

1 b)

2 c)

3

GEMINI Two people you like and respect will quarrel today, and you'll be caught in the middle I between the two of them. Try to stay neutral, or you' ll risk losing a good friend.

a)

CAPRICORN Someon e close to you will try to t ell you what to do, but it's time you acted independently I took control of your own life, so don't be afraid to make your own decisions.

VIRGO Yo u've always thought of yourself as a strong, determined person, but someone discovers a weakness of yours I your weak point and makes life difficult for you.

4 c)

Unit 39 39. 1

1 It's the best thing since sliced bread! 2 It provides the hread and butter. 3 I was left wirh a sour taste in my mouth! 4 He ha
39.2

bitter 7 tooth

39.3

1 have a sweet tooth 2 be the best/greatest thing since sliced bread 3 pass I be past your sell-by date 4 have egg on your face 5 bear fruit 6 make your mouth water I whet your appetite

39.4

Possible answers:

2 whetted 8 mouth

3 fruit

4 flavour

5 dare

6 cake

I Piano teaching is her bread and butter though she sti ll hopes to succeed as an actress. 2 The smell of fresh strawberries always makes my mouth water. 3 Geri Hall\wdl seems to be flavour of the ffi()nth in the pop n-1usic world at the moment.

I 54

English Idioms in Use

4 Kate had egg on her foce when she failed to recognise the managing director of her company. 5 For me e-mail is the best thing since sl iced hread. 6 I hopc ch;H all uur work on this projea will be
Unit 40 40.1

1 Airlines drive me round the bend! You can ncwr get simple information from them when you phone them up. 2 I don't have any exrreme views about anything. I'm qu ire middle-of-the-road. 3 I didn't like her at all, and I ho pe our paths never cross again, ro be honest. 4 It's a good idea w change your joh every few years. It's very easy to get stuck in a rut if

you're not careful. 5 This vi
40.2

all about how \'iolins are made.

1 Well, it's heen nice talking to you . Maybe our paths will cross again somewhere. 2 That T V programme about hirds is right up your street/alley. You shou ld watch it. 3 Jim is fairly middle-of-the-road when it comes co environmental issues. 4 The photocopier drives me round the bend. It a lways bn:aks do,vn just w hen you need ir

s

most. I gave up my job and

\Vent

round the world. I kit J had got stuck in a rut.

F:llse. It means they live in a rcmotc/isobted pbcc.

40.3

2 True.

3 True. 4 f3!sc. It means something is very difficult and problematic. 5 False. It means they are fol lowing a wrong or misguided idea or wmse of action. 40.4

1 It's time to hit the road. 2 The bus is the easiest way to get from A to B round here I in this/my area . 3 The Imperia l Hotel has {really) gone downhill. Don't go there. 4 I chink you' re on rhe right track. s The nt·•v rnck music festival has really put my/our to\vn on the map. t) I rhink my country is at a crossroads.

· Unit 41 4 1. I

I sirting on rhe fence 2 3 4 5 6 7

41 .2

getting your foot in the door getting out of bed on the wrong side flying off the handle putting someone in the picture feeling at home burning the candle at both ends

A decisive person will come down on one side or the other. 2 T he !itudent wants to work there in the future, and perhaps would lih a full-time job in that company after graduating. 3 People often burn the candle at both end.;; hdore an exam when rhey are studying hard. 4 You're more likely co say that someth ing important, something wh ich has significant consequences, is brought home to you. 5 Probably p leased because imitation is said to be 'the sincerest form of flattery' - though in some ci rcumstances people can be annoyed by being copied . 6 You are being honest because yo u are keeping them informc
English Idioms in Use

ISS

7 You fee l irritable all da y. 8 They <1 re in an a ngry mood.

41.3

l get I put m e in the picture 2 make yourself at home , .) fly off the handle 4 as safe as ho uses

41.4 2 3 4

5 6 7

8

41 .5

It wil l take some time before the impact of the new legislation comes home to I is brought home to the person in the street. Sophie will make herself ill if she goes on burning the candle at both ends. Refore you take over the project, I'll put you (fully) in the picture. The police think that DNA testing wi\\ hold the key to proving who the murderer must have been. J im got out of bed on the wrong side this m orning. T he government can't sit o n the fence for ever. Rob flies off the handle I hits the roof/ceiling at the slightest provocation these days. If yo u want to get fit, why don't you ta ke a leaf out of Katie's book and join a gym?

Possible sentences: Check you r a nswers with your teacher o r another good speak<:r of English if you are not sure whether they are correct or not. W hat's the matter with Melanie? She seems to have got out of bed on the wrong side. Please make yo urself at home while 1 go and get read y. My sister's burning the candle at both ends at the moment - she's got exams soon. ( wasn't at work last week. Can you put me in the picture, please? J love being at my brother's. I reall y fee l at home there. Why don't yo u take a leaf out of Sandra's book and ger a weekend job?

Unit 42 42.1

1 came

42.2

1 ls Anna Conda really a princess? - l don't know, hut she's very upper-crust.

2 on

3 hit

4 find

S kept

2 I guess he was de lighted with the news? - Yes, he was over the moon.

3 So your new p roject fai led after al l? - Yes, it bit rhe dust. 4 Did your long talk with David help at a ll ? - Well, it did help to clear rhe air a bit. 5 Did your dad enjoy his golfing holiday? - Yes, he was in his element. 6 Is Alfie a very romantic type of person? - No, he's very clown-to-earth.

42.3

1 You could feel a sense of fear in the air when the planes came overhead. 2 It really is a breath of fresh air fo r us th:i.t the company has decided to move to London . We are a ll bored with worki ng in a small town. 3 Sally came (back) down to earth with a bang when the bank manager rold her she had spent all her money. 4 T hings arc up in the air at the morncnr. I'll let you know when a decision is made.

42.4

Possible answers: Check your answers wi th your teacher o r another good speaker of English if you arc not sure whether they a re correct or nor. ·1 My father was a very
156 English Idioms in Use

3 An old friend I haJ not seen for 1S years was on a cycling holiday and she passed t hrough the village where I live, and called in to say hello without any warning. 4 1'm in my element when 1'rn playing music on my guit~r or on my f\ddk (viohn} with

friend:;.

42.5

l If you arc shaking l1ke a leaf, it means you are trembling because you are afr;"lid or nervous. (Leaves often tremble in the breeze or wind.) 2 I slept like a log means J s lept very well/deeply. (A log is a very solid, heavy piece of wood.) 3 If you go with the flow, you let events carry you along, wirhou r making any decisions yourself. (The flow here suggests a river flowing along and carrying thi ngs with it.) 4 If it goes against the grain fo r you to say or do someth ing, it means it is not in your character, or it is against your basic beliefs and principles w say/do it. (The grain means the natural lines you see in wood. lf you want to cut wood with a saw, it is more difficult to cur it against the grain than along the grain.)

Unit 43 43.1

1 It could be bo th, but the phrase is more likely w be used i
43.2 43.3

1 same 8 clear ]

2 plain

3 decks

4 sailing

S pus h

6 doldrums

7 oar

change rack - take a different course of action

2 know the ropes - be fam iliar with how things arc done 3 try a different tack - attempt to do something in a different way 4 learn the ropes - get to know how to do things 5 be a quivering wreck - be in a weak menral or physical condition ·6 steer a middle course - act in a way that is not extreme

43 .4

l Leave things as they are - it's better not to put/stick your o;ar in I rock the boat.

2 Everything must seem strange at first, bur you'll soon learn the ropes. 3 Finish your course before you go tra 1'elling - there's no point in burning your boats/bridges. 4 Parents usually t ry to sreer a middle course herween leniency and strictness. 5 Sally's very miserable - do you k now why she's in the doldrums? 6 The new boy is hound to be feeling (all) at sea on his first day at school - perhaps yo u can help. 7 Things are not working our - let's ch ange tack I try a different tack. 8 I hate job interviews - I'm always a quivering/nervous wreck before them.

Unit 44 44. 1

44.2

D

2 A

3

c

4 .B

1 B: Yes, it really put/threw a spanner in the works.

2 B: Yes, he seems to be back-pedalling.

English Idioms in Use

157

3 B: Yes, he absolutely blew a fuse/gasket. 4 B: Yes, everything seems to be just quietly ticking over.

S B: Yes, I think we got our wires/lines crossed. 6 13: Yes, it's probably a good idea rn give her a buzz.

44.3

in the pipeline 1 get into gear 3 a back-seat driver

44.4

It rook us a long time to ger into gear. 2 Brad is a back-seat drivc.:r. 3 There a rc plans in the pipel ine for a new railway.

44.S

on

2 un
3 off

4 in

5 over

6 on

Unit 45 45.1

1 hands

8 fingers

45.2

2 thumbs 9 finger

3 hand

4 finger

S hand

6 thumb

7 fingers

10 hands

l I thi nk ii. would be good if you got some firsc-hand experience of working in a poor counrry before v..·orking for an aid organisarion a t h ome. 2. J erry has washed his hands (completely) of the club committee. He \V~1s so d isgusrcu that he just quit, and never wanrs co see any of them again. 3 That nc\v power sracion on the coast sticks/stands out like a sore thumb~ You'd think t hey would have built it ro blend in w ith the landscape. 4 Have you ever tried your hand at water-skiing? My sisrer's gor a hoat if you would like to try. 5 1 always have to have rhc cookbook to hand when I'm trying out a new recipe. 6 I'm too b usy to p lay foorha ll every week now, hur I really should play occasion:Jlly, just

ro keep my hand in. 7 She got her fingers {badly) burnt on the stock exchange. She bought shares in an Internet company that went bankrupt.

45.3

1 Do ~·ou think you coulJ give me a han
s

Follow up We said at the beginning of the unit that han
158 English Idioms in Use

Unit 46 46.I

1 get itchy feet - be restless I vvant to travd 2 find you r feet - feel familiar with something 3 be under someone's feet - be con.stanrly in the \Vay 4 land/foll o n your feet - be lucky/successfol ) get off on the wrong foot - start off in a bad way 6 be rushed off your feet - be very busy 7 get cold feet - regret a decision 8 stand on your own two feet - he independent 9 keep borh feet on the ground - remain conn ected to t he re,11 world

46.2

Possible answers: Check your answers w ith your teacher or another goo
46.3

l I said 1 would join Jim on the prmest m<1rch, hut then goc cold feet and didn't go at all. 2 She was rusht:d off her feet in the shop last month, but she's pleased that the business is

doing well. 3 H e'll have to learn co stand on his own

t\\'O

feet now that he's at college and not living

at h o me a n y more. 4 Mavis and I got off on the wrong foot ,.,.hen she first joined the compa ny, but now we're working very well together. 5 I've got itchy feet these days. l'd love to go off on a h:ickpacking holiday somewhere.

46.4

pur yo ur foot in it 2 fol low in someone's foorsreps 3 keep someone on their coes

46.5

1 True. 2 True. 3 False. They keep you busy I \vorking with all your energy. 4 False. You follow the sam<: course of action as rhcm, for t.!x
English Idioms in Use

159

Unit 47 47.1

A bone of ....~t'.~MJ'.l ...................

The ....~.~~..... .. ········-····· .......... bones

----------------~~

· · I can feel ....U:... 0....mio....~Q.r.\~?...........

I have a bone .. 1:9....P.~.. .~~-..~9.~.....

47.2

1 I have a bone to pick with you.

2 This book will give you the bare bones, hut it doesn't go into great detail. 3 I d on't think we should allow the cosr ro become a bone of contention (between us ). 4 There's going to be trouble at work. I can feel it in my bones.

2 b)

6 c)

47.3

l

47.4

Possible answers: I think you should keep Harold at arm's length, as he can be a very difficult person.

c)

3 b)

4 a)

.5 c)

I had to admit I was wrong. I didn't really have a leg to stand on, so it was pointless trying to defend my actions.

47.5

1 leg: the idiom means that something is very expensive 2 chance: if you chance your arm, you take a risk in order to get something you wam

Unit 48 48.I

"I I can't understand/accept how much she's changed since she met Joel.

2 Mary will never attract admiring gazes in the way that her older sister does. 3 You'll find it extremely funny when you see Bill wearing a dinner jacket. 4 Dick hadn't had time to prepare a speech, but he spoke very well without having made any preparations. 5 If I were you, I'd keep a low profile I be as inconspicuous as possible until the situation improves. 6 Sam wants to use your saw to build a treehouse - you'd better put a stop to that plan. 7 My boss reacted very angrily jost because I asked fo r an extra day off. 8 It was the first time that J oanna ha
48.2

1 Mel screamed her head off when she saw a rat under the table.

2 When th e pilot announced that the plane was having engine problems, all the passengers hehaved calmly and no one lost their head.

3 T'm trying to get him ro give up smoking, bur I am I have been banging my head against

a brick wall. 4 You'll easily pass your driving test as long as you keep your head. 5 I wish he wouldn't snap my head off when I ask him about his work . 6 Jack and Sue have not been getting on well for some time now, but Jack's rudeness to her last night brought things co a head and they had a blazing row. 7 The disagreemenr over pay came to a head at a meeting yesterday.

48.3

160

l bite someone's head off 2 keep your head down

Eng/i5h Idioms in Use

3 keep your head above water 4 be banging your head against a brick wall 5 turn heads

48.4

Possible answers: Check your a nswers with your teacher or another good speaker of English if you are not sure w h ether they are correct or not.

1 I had my head bitten off by an ex-boss once:. It wasn't, I think, because of an ything serious that T had done, but was simply because he was having some p roblems at home at the time. 2 I'd find it hard tu keep my hca
Have I got news for you. 4 Someone tall, dark and handsome might turn my head in rhe streer or someone wearing very striking clothes. S Various writers, political figures and pop srars have ail, a t different times, been criticised for putting ideas into young people's heads. 6 It would depend what its expectations were. It might be pleased that ic \Vas not making a loss; on the other hand, it might not be pleased that it was not making a significant profit.

Unit 49 49. \

1 face 8 face

2 tbroat(s) 9 face

3

shou~der

10 hair

4 neck

5 throat

6 neck

7 chest

11 face

49.2

l You try to keep a straight face when you \'lfant ro control yo ur laughter. 2 You put a brave face on something when you try co hide your disappointment. 3 You can be said to be pulling your hair out when you get very upset abvut something. 4 You make a clean breast of something when you admit to doing something wrong. 5 You mi:ly make a face when you are nor pleased ahout something. 6 You take snrncthi.ng at face value when ynu accept it in a snaightforward way. 7 You may be told to keep your hair on when you are showing your anger. 8 You give someone the cold shoulder when you deliberately ignore them.

49.3

1 2 3 4 S 6 7 8

Rose's father didn't turn a hair when she told him she was going to get married. I wish my boss would let me get on with my work instead of breathing down my neck. You shou ld tell him directly how you fee l rather than just giving him the cold shoulder. N ina is very worried about her husband's illness, but she's putting a brave face on it. Keep your hair on\ lf you take w hat they say at face value, you'll ·soon get disappointed. H aving to do homewo rk is such a p ain in the neck! l have to tell you a tcrribli: secret. I'll gu mad if l don't get it off my chest soon.

49.4

l 2 3 4 5 6

get it off your c hest ram something down someone's throat put a brave face on something tear/pull your hair out breathe down someone's neck give someone the cold shoulder

English Idioms in Use

16 I

Unit 50 50. 1

50.2 50.3

1 2 3 4 5

B: B: B: B: B:

D on't worry, if it 's just over the limit, they usually turn a b lind eye. [ don't know. l.er's \\rave and see if we can catch h er eye. No, not really, we just
2 eye

3 eyes

4 eyes

5 eyes

1 An accident can happen in the b link o f an eye.

2 H is beh aviour at the meeting raised a few eyebrow s. 3 You sh ould a lways have/keep one eye o n yo ur chances of p romo tion w hen you ta ke up a new jo b.

4 A very strange sigh t caugh t m y eye as I was d riv ing a long the motorway yesterd ay. 50.4

Lines 1, 5, 6 an d 11 use the word eye in its literal sen se, meaning 'the organ we see w ith' . T he resr of rhe lines use eye in idioms, ma ny of which a re on the left-hand page. But note the fo llowing: keep an eye our for (lines 2 a nd 9): be carefu l and watch fo r somet h ing/someone in your mind 's eye (line 3): in you r imagina tion sec someone (or someth ing) out of the co rner o f your eye (line 12): see them witho ut lo oking stra ight in their direction

If you do nor know this last group of idioms, ma ke a note of them in your Vocabula ry notebook.

Unit 51 51.1

1 False. It mean s they can play witho ut music. 2 True. ., .) True. 4 Fa lse. It means they a nnoy or irr itate you. 5 True. 6 Fa lse. It means peop le tell one a n other. The id iom is often u sed to contrast with reading about somet hing o r seeing an a dvertisement for somet hing.

51.2

1 She said som e very hurtful things to me, b ut I just did no t respond/ react , because I d idn't want to show her I was upset . 2 I can't really a d vise you o n how to behave at the interview. J ust resp o nd to the situation I a ct a ccording to your intuition, and I'm .sure you'll be great . 3 The government sa ys/claims it believes in low taxes, but then puts up in
51.3

T here's no point tal king to her. Everything just goes in one ear a n d o ut t he other. 2 I just co u ldn't believe my cars when t hey cold me I ha
162 English Idioms in Use

4 The name of che village where he lives is on che tip of my rongue. Give me a few minutes and I'll remember it. 5 What 5he said is simply not true. She's lying through her teeth. 6 The sight of all chose delicious pizzas is making my mouth water, hut I'm on a diet, so I shouldn't rca1ly have any.

s 1.4

hl

2 c)

3 b}

4 c)

Unit 52 52.1

1 Don't lose heart! - Someone who is feeling discouraged. 2 Don't take.: it to heart! - Someone whu is upset after being criri<:ised. 3 You're a man after my own heart! - Someone with the same tastes. 4 Don't set you r hearr on ir! - Someone who has a rather unrea listic amhicion.

5 Learn it by heart! - Someone who has w give a speech. 6 You're breaking my hearc! - A loved one who is causing you grief. 7 Your heart is in the right place! - A kind person who tries to do the right thing (bur doesn'r always succeed). 8 You can open your heart to me! - Someone with a secret to share.

52.2

') My heart missed/skipped a beat when the handsome man smiled at me. 2 When we are on holiday, che children 1:an build sandcastles to their hearts' content while we lie on the beach and read. 3 J im used to support the Green Party, but he's had a change of heart. 4 If you ask Roy ro help you, I'm sure he'll put his heart and soul inco it a nd the job will be fini~hcd in nu time. 5 lr's not a good idea to bare your hearr/soul I pour your heart out I open your heart to a journalist unless you want your secrets to hecome puhlic knm.vledge. 6 Your dissertation is nearly finished , so don't lose heart now. 7 1t breaks my heart I makes my heart sink to sec my brother maki ng such a fool of himself. 8 !v1y heart sank when I realised that pay day was still a week away.

52.l

1 was determined to get 2 working wirh great energy nnd enthusiasm 3 have a frank interview 4 told him exaccly how she felt 5 with increasing discomfort 6 tel ling him all her secret hopes 7 you certainly have very good intentions 8 we are similar people 9 Don't despair 10 rook what he said very seriously 11 mcmonse 1t

52.4 2

3 4 5 6

He might set his heart on setting u p his own guitar group, seeing a famous guitarist in concert, ecc. You do it a lor. She is like you . You are praising them a little, although you are also implying that you think rhe ir behaviour is not totally appropriacc. If your heart misses a beat, you might be: all of these except sick. She opens her heart to her best friend, her diary, etc.

English Idioms in Use

163

7 She might have fallen in love with someone else and she m ight eh.en c<Jncel the wedding. 8 The break-up of a rclatiomhip might hrcak a young lover's heart.

Unit Sl 53.1

1 2 3 4

5 6 7

8

Getting him to agree to spend money is like get ting blood out of a stone. He's exhausted because he's been slogging his guts our. I'm sure che docror will set his mind a r rest. I've gut that computer game o n the brain. He can still see her quite clearly in his mind's eye. H e tries not to thi nk about it, but it's always a t the back of his mind. If you can't do it alone, you could try to pick his brains. C r imes of p3ssion arc less horrific than murders which are cold-blooded.

53.2

·1 brain 8 mind

53.J

·1 The government a re rather worried about the brain drain. 2 I like both shirts. I can't make up my mind which one ro buy. 3 Don't think too long about the q uestion . Just tell me:: your gut ft:ding/reaction. 4 Why do people enjoy films that are full of blood and guts? 5 Don't decide u ntil you kn ow all the facts. It's best to have/keep an open mind until t hen. 6 I know you must be worried , hut I'm sure we can put/set your mind at rest. 7 I've had that awful song on the brain ever since hearing it on rhe radio this morning. 8 Getting him to tell me anything about his work is like getting blood out of a stone.

53.4

T hese seem to be the basic meanings of these parts o f the body in id ioms - although some of the idioms have moved quite a lo ng way from these concepts and indeed blood in particular may have severa l d ifferenc set s of associations for t he English speaker.

2 mind

3 gut

4 mind

5 guts

6 brains

7 blood

mind - th ink ing blood - emo tion (tho ugh is also used in idioms w ith the physical meaning of blood) brain - intelligence guts - intestines or your insides

Unit 54 54.1

1 It almost ~ertainly isn't tidy and you r boss doesn't like this because he/she is always nagging you co tidy it up. 2 No, it's got worse hecausc you've offended that person. 3 They do naughty th ings that they don't want the teacher to see. 4 They want yo u to do them a favour of some kind. 5 Yes, they arc. 6 Revision is more importa nt.

S4.2

beyond 7 door

S4.l

2 lorry 8 sec

3 hand

4 leant/lea ned/bent

5 stab

6 b urner

1 Do you know rhe area well? - Like the back of my h and.

2 Was the test d iffo.:ult? - I could have dune it with m y hand s tied behind my hack. 3 Where is t he castle? - Somewhere in the back of beyond. 4 W here d id they get the computer ? - It fell off the hack of a lorry. S How on earth d id she get thar positio n? - By the back d oor, I'm sure. 6 Do you like this hot weather? - I'll he gla
164 English Idioms in Use

7 Dues your girlfriend like your muturbikt:? - She\ always on my back about it. 8 How's your Japanese project going? - ft's taking a back seat at the moment.

54.4

1 2 3 4

5 6 7 8

Jim put/got May's back up by telling her she was too young to go out with the others. You scratch my back and I'll scratch yours. Sue leant/bent over backwards ro give her grandmother an enjoyable holiday. The teacher is always on my back about my handwriting. Let's put any discussion of the merger on the back burner until after next week's meeting. My dream is to go off to a cottage in the back of beyond and work on a novel. Joe '>vent off to join the navy without a backward glance. Quick! We can leave now while Sasha's back is turned.

Unit 55 SS.I

1 My parents always go to great lengths to make any new friend of mine feel welcome if I bring them home. 2 You' ve come a long way since the last time we played tennis. You must have been praccising hard. 3 Georgina and I go back a long way. I' ve known her since 1984. 4 My teacher at school always told me I would go a long way, hut she was wrong; I'm stuck in a very boring job and don't earn much. 5 I'd be prepared to go to any lengths to get that job. I've never wanted anything so much in all my life. 6 It's time to take a long, hard look at our personal finances. I think we're spending roo much .

55. 2

Possible answers: 1 (You've done very well.) I think you'll go a long way. 2 My best friend (name) and I go back a long way. 3 The family I stayed with when I was learning (name of language) went to great lengths to make me feel at home. 4 You've come a long way since the last time I heard you play. 5 1 think we should take a long, hard look at our plan to start a business. 6 I'd go to any lengths to persuade rhe owner to sell me that beautiful flat.

55.3

l 2 3 4

55.4

1 a long-winded lecture 2 a long face 3 a long haul

Yes, long time no see. How long is a piece of string? It's a long story. All right, to cut a long story short, none of the members agreed with an y of the committee's proposals.

4 a lisc as long as your arm

Unit 56 56. 1

1 I hope I'm in line for a pay rise this year. 2 You must read between the lines o f her lcrrcr to understand what she's saying. 3 I'd like to design a house along/on the lines of a place l read a bout. 4 I'll help with the play, but I draw the line at taking a speaking role. 5 There's a fine line between generosity and extravagance.

English Idioms in Use

165

G lt's uncanny h ow we: always sc:em w be thinking along/on the same lines. 7 You were quire out of line. Don't do it again! 8 When our house purchase is agreed, we'll sign on rhe dotted line. 9 It's time ro
56.2

1 A: Jane considered that her. previous relationship with Tim w;1s now totally over. B: 2 A: B: 3 A: B:

Jane would not consider starting a rda tionship with Tim. David's actions were quite inappropriate. David's actions were appropriate. Rebecca said she'd try ro write to me. Rebecca said she'd try to think more deeply about what was meant by the words that hJd been wrirtetl. 4 A: Accountancy is Jim's profession. B: J im is likely to get rhe accountancy job a t our cumpan}'.

S6.3

1 Drop me a line soon. - Of t:ou rse, I will.

2 You're absolutely- out uf line. - J'm sorry.

56.4

3 4 5 6 7 8

I'm in line fo r promotion. - Congratu lations. Whar's Tony's line of wo rk ? - H e's in computer programming. Shall we draw a line under our past problems? - That's fine hy me. Nick doesn't dare step uur of line. - Why ever Jlot? l draw the line ;it going on strike. - So do l . Was my ralk along the right lines? - It was grea r.

1 2 3 4

Please drop me a line as often as you l"an. What's Natasha's line of work? What Paul did was totally out of line. My dream is to open a s\:hool a\ong the lines of the o.ne I attended myself as a child. (In some ways) there is a very fine/thin line between genius and insanity. There's a fine/thin line between doing enough exercise and doing too much. Where would you draw the line? Let's now rry to draw a line under our previous
S 6 7 8 9

56.5

Possible sentences: C heck your a nswers with yo ur teacher or another good speaker of English if you are nor sure whether they ate correct or not. My colleague isn't speaking to me - 1 think l said something uut of line. I asked Isobel to drop me a line while 5hc \Vas away. The bottom line is that we rnust get rid of hooligallism from footb<1ll. I work fu r :in insurance compan y. What's yo ur line of work? Rea ding ben.n·en rhe lines, T think my mum's pleased my brother has left hume. I read through rhe document before I signed on the dotted line.

Unit 57 57. 1

166

I B: Yes, he's been out of action for
English Idiom.~ in Use

4 B: Yes, it's time he got his act together.

5 B: Yes, it's a ver y dc:licate balancing act.

57.2

'r 4p

57.3

T 3H £ R

0 2G £

(A

0

I

A

v

T

SG

£

T

1 H e was stealing a ca r, and the police ca ugh t him in the act (just as he was getcing into it). 2 1 was o ut of the team for three weeks with a knee problem, but now I'm back in action (again ). 3 I think it's time we followed/took a diffe rent course of action . 4 The film industry should clean up its act a n
Unit 58 58.1

good

7 best, bad

2 bad 3 berrer 8 bad, worse

4 best

6 best

5 worst, worst

58.2

1 Sarah a lways has to go one better than ever yone else. 2 Conditions seem to be g oing from bad to worse. 3 The wea ther \.Vas bad, but we tried ro make the best o f a bad job. 4 I nearl y tu ld her the truth , but I thought better of it. 5 As Mark is ver y ambitious, he will never settle fo r sc<.:an
58.3

I No, he isn 't. 2 T he boy m ight, for example, be rude to the important visitors. 3 T hey arc trying to have a bigger and m ore impressive car. 4 H e's hroken his leg. 5 H e might find he can enj oy the sym path y of his friend s and the attentions of the nurses as well as the chance to relax and \Vatch TV

58.4

Possihle answers: Check your answers with your te:lche r or another good sp ea ker of English if yo u are not s ure whether they are correct o r n ot. I wanred ro te ll m y boss w hat I t hought of him, bu r fortu nately T thought better of it.

I did a course in teaching English because I tho ught it would stand me in good stead if I needed to \·vork when I was abroad. I didn't rea ll y want to leave the schoo l I had taught in for years, but it certainly all turned out fo r the best. l admire the wa y m y friend decided to mah rhe best of a bad job w hen she was made to rake early retirement - she d ecided to take up painting and a lso began to write the novel sh e h;1d always been planning .

English Idioms in Use

I 67

The situation wasn't easy in January, but it has certainly gone from had to worse throughout the year. Anna has been in a bad way ever since her children grew up and left home.

Unit 59 59.1

2 3 4

5 59.2

The Minister cleverly cut the ground from under her opponents' feet by announcing new tax cuts. He got in on the ground floor with e-commerce and became a millionaire when it rook off. Good hotels are thin on the ground in rhe smaller cities; you have to go to the capiral to get hotels of international standard. The project has got off the ground quicker and more smoothly than we expected . Part-time work suits me down to the ground at the moment as I'm trying to study at the same time.

I'm afraid good cafos are thin on the ground in the town centre. 2 Working from home suits me down to the ground as I can look after our small child at the same time. 3 If you join our company now, I promise you arc getting in on the ground floor of some really exciting developments. 4 Reducing the price now wilt cut the ground from under the feet of our competirors, because they will not be able to do the same. 5 It's a good idea, but I don't know if it will ever get off the ground.

59.3

She held/stood her ground and had a meeting with the boss ro cell her everything. 2 We have a lot of common ground, so we need to discuss how we can work together.

3 I think you are on dangerous ground if you raise the subject of longer holidays at the staff meeting. 4 English Language schools arc thick on the ground in the capital city. 5 The idea that public transport is better for the environment is gaining ground.

59.4

Possible answers:

2 3 4 5 6

168

They do not appear in public and hide from the media. So embarrassed you wish you could disappear I were invisible . They refuse to change their position or opinion in a di>pute/argumcnt. To shift your ground . (My) stamping/stomping ground. It m eans a place where you spend a lot of rime. It means that they have probably been co that country and made useful contacts for you or informed people about your company, so that it will be easier for you to launch your product.

English Idioms in Use

Unit 60 60. 1

60.2

60. 3

60.4

animal

right adjective

example sentence

1

bat

blind

I'm as blind as a bat without my glasses.

2

ox

str:ong

My brother is as strong as an ox.

3

bee

busy

I was as husy as a bee all last week.

4

eel

slippery

She's as slippery as an eel. You'll never get a dire(.'.t answer from her.

5

bird

free

I felt as free as a bird when I left university.

6

fox

sly

He's as slv as a fox. Don't trust him. He'll find a way of getting what he wants. .

1 I don't min
2 a bull

3 a bar

1 He was very bad-tempered, like a bear with a sore head. 2 Her comments were like a red rag to a bull. 3 He ran off like a bat out of hell.

60.5

1 greased

60.6

1 as fla t as a pancake, e.g. The landscape is as flat as a pancake. 2 as daft as a brush (daft mea ns silly; used of people)

2 sieve

3 plain

4 ugly

3 as good as gold (good here refers to someone's behaviour) 4 as bold as brass (bold here means cheeky/wit h out any inh ibitions) 5 as dry as a bone, e.g. 1 must water my plant. The soil's as dry as a bone.

English Idioms in Use

169

Phonetic symbols Vowel sounds

Consonant sounds

Symbol /i:/ Iii hi /u/ /u:/

Symbol /pi

/e/ fa!

13:/ h :I /<£,/ IA! l o/ /a :/

/er/ /ar/ hr/ /ea/ h::il r:wl /au/ /u~/

I 70

English Idioms in Use

Examples sleep mi;_ ha pp)'. rec1p~ p1n dinner foot cou ld pull dQ shoe throu~h head r~d sfild arnve father colour turn work bird sort thought walk Ci!t bls1ck S.\!ll enQ!!gh wQnder g.Qt watch SQCk pan heart laugh

n.ame

mx bm: Pill h~

gQ out pure

lg_te idea 11.Q!Se where beer h.Qme cow poor

aim time bear shQw

lb/ It I /ell /kl /g/ / tJ/ /d3/ /f f / v/

te/ 101 /s/ /z/ !JI /3/ / h/ /ml

/n/ 11)1 /I/ /r/ /j/ /\VI

Examples p_ut book 1ake dog kick ~ar guarantee go church catch a~

for loye thick this ~in~

Jo un~

cough yehicle path mother nee

hou~e~ zoo machine shop liugar vi~ion plealiure u~ua I hotel hear

make

name bring look 1:.oad xoung .',Year

now whik

Index The numbers i11 the index are Unit m1mbers not page numbers. get/go from A to B 40 be on about 27 Absence makes the heart grow fonder. 29 bt: brough t/called co account 10 Ther~'s no accounting for taste (s)! 15 an acid test 10 clea n up your ace 57 act rhe fool/goat i, 57 act your age 57 a balancing act 57 be;; '' hard/cough ace to follow 12 catch sb in the act 57 get in on the ace .57 ger your act rogecher 57 pu t on an acr 57 a piece/slice of the action 57 be back in action 57 be o ut o f action 57 follow/rake a course of action 57 Actions speak louder chan words. 29 a hive of activity 57 add fuel to the fire/flames 33 add insulr ro injury 12 pla)' devil's advocate 13 be after sb's blood 3 You can say that again! 11 against (all ) (the) odds ii, 19 acr your age 57 a hidden agenda 9 at che cop of sb's/rhe agenda 15 a brea th of fres h air 42 be floating/walking on air 2 be in rhe air 42 bt: up in the air 42 clear the air 42 pluck a number out of the air 33 airs and graces 2 0 set alarm bells ringing 16 all ears 51 all over rhe place 26 all work and no play 29 be all ar sea 43 be;; all sweetness and light 12 be all ralk (and no action) 57 give sth your all 17 go all o ut 17 have all t he makings of 13 if all else fails 15 make all rhe difference 6 no r be all it ·s cracked up to be J 3 noc be all there 1 once and for all 32 be (right) up your alley/street 40 leave well alone 16

along rhe lines of sch 56 not go amiss 18 a par ry animal 36 one way or another 1.5 have a lot co answer for 13 not rake no for an answer 28 rhe a nswer to sb's prayers 8 (not) ri ng any bells I a bell (with me) 4 anybody who is anybody 20 nevcr/noc do anything/things by halves 13 keep up appearances 20 whet }'Our appetite 39 An apple a day keeps rhe docror awa v. 11 a grey area 34 · a list as long as your arm 55 chancc your arm 19, 47 cost (sb) an arm and a leg 47 could do sth v..·irh one arm/ hand tied behind your back 54 cwist sb's arm 47 hold/keep sb at arm's length 47 a chink in your armour 38 be up in arms ~R be asking for it/trouble 12 c;1sr aspersions on ·12 lead sb astrav 16 a t a (conside~able) price 24 at a push 17 a t the e nd of rhe da>' 31 be at each o ther's throat 49 be at loggerheads i, 22 be/feel ar home 41 make yourself at home 41 a~·oid srh like rhe plague 60 h:ive an axe ro grind 38 gee/go from A to B 40 be as casy as taking candy from a baby 17 be lefr holding the baby 7 rhrow the baby out with t he bathwater 13 back-pedal 44 Yo u scratch my back and I' ll scrarch vours. 54 ac the back of vour mind 53 · aclin the back ~f beyond 54 he g!adlhappy/pleased/not sor ry to see rhe back of sth 54 be (like) wat er off a duck's back i. 37 be back in action 57 be on sb's back 54 be on the back burner 54 b~·/through the back door 54 come/fall off the back of a lorry 54 could (lo ~th with one arm/hand ti~d behind your back 54 kd up (to the back teeth) 3 ger/put sb's back up 3, 54 go b ack a long way 55 go back to square one 35

English Idioms in Use

17 1

know sth like the back of your hand 54

off the back of a lorry 54 stab sb in the back 54 take a back sear 54 when/while sh's back is turned 54 a backseat driver 44 without a backward glance 54 bend/lean over backwards 54 be in a bad wav 58 give sth up as~ bad joh 58 go from bad ro worse 58 make t he best of a bacl job 58 in the bag 8 let rhe cat out of the bag ii, 37 be/hang in the balance 14 a balancing act 57 a slime ball ii be on rhe ball 35 play ball 35 start the ball rolling 35 the ball is in your court 35 get/jump/leap on the bandwagon 13 come (back) down to earth with a bang/bump/ jolt ii, 42 be banging/hitting your head against a brick wall ii, 48 bare your heart/soul 52 the bare bones 47 I wouldn't toui;h sb/sth with a barge pole. 18 sb's bark is worse than their bire 36 have sb over a barrel 7 have a bash 17 Don't put all your eggs in one basket. 29 a basket case 1 be as blind as a bat 60 like a bat our of hell 60 nor bar an eyelid 50 off your own b.it 35 throw the babv out with the bathwater 13 recharge your ·batteries 1 an uphill battle/fight/struggle 40 fighc a losing battie 38 keep sb/sth at bay 22 be that as ic may 10 the be-all-and-end ·all 6 bear fruit 39 bear/keep in mind 30 be like a bear with a sore h1:ad 37, 60 grin and bear it 2 sb's heart misses/skips a beat 52 be off the beaten track 40 {it) beats me S be at sb's beck and call 9 get out of bed on the wrong sidc 4 I be as busy as a bee 60 make a beeline for sb/sth 36 the birds and the bees 7 before your time 3 l be on yollr best behaviour 58 behind the scenes 25

\ T2.

English Idioms in Use

for the time being 31 can't believe your ears 5 1 couldn't believe your eyes 50 ring a bell 30 (not) ring a bell I any hells (w ith me) 4 sec alarm bells ringing 16 green belt 34 tighten your belt 24 bend the ru les 9 bend/lean over backward~ 54 drive/send sb round the bend/rwist i, ii, 3, 40 give sh the benefit of the doubt 10 be beside the point 2 8 be for the best 58 be un your best hehaviour 58 inake the best of a had job 58 second best 58 the best of hoth worlds 58 the best/greatest thing since sli<.:ed bread 39 your best bet 35 against your better judgement 58 for want of a better word 27 go one better 58 have seen better days 31 think better of sth 58 atlin rhe back of beyond 54 get/go beyond a joke 26 Big deal! 23 hit the big time 6 make a big th ing o f 23 make it big 23 think big 23 foot the bill 46 pick up the bill/tab ii, 24 A little bird cold me. 36 a bird in the hand 29 as free as a bird i , 60 birds of a feather 29 kill two birds with one stone i, ii, 37 the birds and che hees 7 get/have/take the bit between you r teeth 36 bite sh's head off 48 bite the bullet 38 bite the dust 1, 4 2 bite your tongue 51 sb's bark is worse than their bite 36 be thri lied to bits 2, 21 a bitter pill (co swallow) 1 tO the bitter end 3 9 a black hole 34 in black and white 34

draw ~ blank 7 your mind goes blank 30

he a blessing in disguise 6 be as blind as a hat 60 wrn a blind eye 50 in the blink of an eye i, 50 on rhe blink 50 a stumbling block 7 Blood is thicker than water. 29

blood and guts .'i 3 be after sb's blood 3 be out for blood 3 blue blood 34 ger blood out of a stone :i3 in cold blood 53 new blood 20 sb's blood is up 3 blow a fuse/gasket 3, 44 blow hot a nd cold 33 blow sth out of (all) proportion 14 see how I which way the wind is blowing 33 blue blood 34 blue-collar 34 between the devil and the dc:t:p blue sea 33 once in a blue moon 32 out of the blue i, 42 until you a rc blue in the face 34 call sb's bluff 35 be in the same boat 43 miss the boat 43 push the boat out 43 rock che boat 43 burn your boats/bridges 38, 43 as bold as !Jrass 60 a bone of contention 4 7 be as dry as a bone i, 60 have a bone to pick with sb 4 7 I (can) feel it in my bones ii, 47 the bare bones 4 7 take a leaf om of s b 's book 4 1 be in sb's good books 22 bum the candle at both ends 4 1 the best of both worl
b urn your bridges/boats 38, 43 bring a lump ro your rh roar 14 bring sth home to sb 41 bring sth to a head 48 bring sth to light 8 be on the brink of sth ii he brought/called to account l 0 look like something the cat brought/dragged in 60 b<: a> dafr as a brush 60 pass rhe buck i, 35 kick the bucket ·1 nm budge/give an inch ·10, 23 rhe rraYel hug 36 be like a m l rag to a bull 60 take rhe bull bv the horns 37 bite the bullet .38 come (back) down to earth with a bump/ ba ng/ jolt ii burn rhe candle at both ends 41 bum your boats/bridges 38, 43 be 011 the back burner 54 ger/have your fingers burned/burnt 45 be as busy as a bee 60 sb's bread and butter 39 have butterflies in your stomach 36 give sb a buzz 44 be a piece of cake 17 have your cake a nd eat ic 39 the icing on the cake 39 call it a day 32 call sb's bluff 35 call rbe shots 3 8 be at sb's beck and call 9 not have a minuce to call )'OUr own J2 be called/brought ro account J0 cool, calm and collected i, 21 a can of worms 10, 37 carry rhe can 9 can't for the life of me 4 burn the candle ar both ends 4 1 be as easy as taking candy from a baby l 7 be on the cards 35 , lay/put you r cards on the rnble 35 play your cards right 35 the cards a re sracked against you 19 cake care of the pence/pennies 29 career ladder 25 at the bottom of rhe (career) ladder 2 5 ar the top of the (career) ladder 25 climb ro the t op of the career ladder 25 carry the can 9 a basket case 1 cast aspersions on 12 cast/run your eye over 50 !er the cat our of the bag ii, 37 look like something the cat bro ught/dragged in 60 no t (enough) room tu swing a cat 37 put/send the cat among the pigeons i, 3, 37

English Idioms in Use

173

Whik the cac's away, the mice will play. 29 catch sb in the act 57 catch sb red-handed 34 catch sb's eye 50 caught in the middle 23 be caught in the crossfire 38 he caught napping 16 hit the ceiling/roof 41 Jett, right and centre 26 chance your arm 19, 47 not have rhe ghost of a chance 6 change hands 45 change ta& 43 a dtange of heart 52 chase your tail 36 get it off your chest 49 run round like a headless chicken 37 be child's play 17 a chink in vo\ir armour 38 have a chip on your shoulder 4 7 when the chips are down 35 a vicious circle 10 go round in circles ll) clean up your act 57 make a clean breast of it 4 9 clear rhe air 42 dear the decks 43 loun doud nine 2 nor have a clue 4 dutch at straw-; 7 the ot her side of the coin I 0 w coin a phrase 27 cold-blooded 53 a cold fish 36 blow hot and cold JJ get cold feet 46 give sb the cold shoulder 4 7, 49 in cold blood 53 pour cold water on srh .B cool, ea Im and collected i, 21 come ro light 8 come (back) down to t:arrh with a bang/bump/ jolt ii, 42 come a long way 55 come down on one side or the orhcr 4 l come home ro you 41 come co a head 48 come to terms with 14 come up against a brick wall 7 come/spring t o mind 30 the shape of things to come 31 if push comes ro shove l 8

I 74

English Idioms in Use

wor~t 58 if/when it comes ro t he crunch .1S be too close for comfort I 6 see sth coming (a mi le off) 19 commit sth to memory 30 common ground 59 a foregone conclusion 19 the pros and cons i, l 0 to your hea rt's content 52 a bone of contention 47 too manv cooks 29 cool, cal;n and collected i, 2 1 see sth out of the comer of \'Our eve 50 politically correct 20 · . cost (sb} an a rm and a kl!, 4 7 follow/take a cour!;e of action 5 7 steer a middle course 43 t he ball is in \'Our court 35 at the crack ~f dawn 32 nor be all it's cracked up to be 13 by hook or by crook i, 17 cross your fingers 45 cross your mind 30 at cross-purposes 22 sb's parhs cross 40 get your lines/win:s crossed 44 keep your fingers crossed 45 be caught in the crossfire 38 at a crossroads 40 when it comes ro the crunch 38 a shoulder co cry on 4 7 be a far crv fro m sth 23 It's no goo.d I There's no poin t crying over spilt

if the worst comes ro the

milk. 29 as cunning/sly as a fox 60 cut a long story short i, 55 cut the ground from under sb 's feet 59 cut thing:; fi.nc 16 have vour work cur out 25 be a dab hand 45 be as daft as a brush 60 look daggers at 38 be pushing up (the) daisies ii put a dampener/damper on 2 on dangero us gro und 59 a dark horse 36 he in tht: dark 42 keep sb in the dark 42 he past I p ass your sell-by dace 39 ac che crack of dawn 32 An apple il day keeps the doct or awJy. 11 at the end of the day 31 call it a day 32 make your day 2, 21 frighten/scare t he ( living) daylights o ut of have seen better days 3 1 it's early days (yet) 3 1 a dead end 40 be a dead loss 13 would not be seen dead 18

11

dead-end iob 25

8ig deal! 23 look like death warmed up

clc;ir the decks 43 he in deep w ater 33 between the devil and the deep blue sea 33

go off the deep end 3 jump in the deep end 33 throw sb in the deep end .D be out of your depth 33 leave a lor to be desired 13 leave sb to their own devices 9 between the devil and the deep blue sea 33 play devil's advocate 13 a rough diamond 20 make a ll the difference 6 try a different tack 43 dig >·our heels in 46 dig yourself inrn a hok 7 be in dire straits 7 be a blessing in disguise 6 drive sb to distraction 13 do your own thing 18 make do 8 a spin doctor 9 An apple ;) d;:iy keeps the doctO( awar. It a doddlt 17 a dog's breakfast 3 7 go ro the dogs 3 7 be in the dolclrums 43 easier said than done 7 by/through the back door 54 get your foot in the door 41 give sb a dose/taste of d 1cir own medicine in small dose~ 23 from/since the year dot 31 sign on rhe dotted line 56 give sb thl: beP.efit of tht doubt lO down-and-our 20 down -ru-c.:mh 42 be down in rhe d umps 2, 21 keep your head down 48 n ever live sth down 15 go downhill 40 six of one and half a dozen of the orher 11 drag your teerlheels 26, 46 look lik e something the cat dragged/brought in 60 ~ nr;'.lin drain 5 3 draw a bla nk 7 draw a line under srh 56 draw the line (at sth} 56 the luck of rhe draw 19 go/work like a dream 6 wouldn't dream of 14 drive/send sb round rhe bi:nd/twist i, ii, 3, 40 drive sb ro distraction 13 drive sb up the wall 3 a backseat driver 44 drop sb a line 56

a drop in rhe ocean .n be as clry as a bone i, 60 be (like) water off a duck's back i, 37 be down in the dumps 2, 21 bite the du$t L 42 like gold dust 12 be duty bound to do sth 18 be dying for/to 18 play it hy ear 51 go in one ear and o ur t he other 5·1 have a word in ~b's ear 5 1 give sb an earful 3 it's early days (yet) 3 1 all cars 5 I be up to your ears/eyes (in work) 2S can't helievl: your cars 5 l be the salt of the earth 33 come (back) clown to earth with a hang/bump/ jolt ii, 42 go to the ends of the:: eanb 33 easier said than done 7 be as easy as falling off a log 17 be as easy as taking candy from a baby 17 have your cake and eac it 39 be on edge 21 have rhe edge over 13 get a wmd in edgeways 18 be as slippery as an eel 60 have egg on your face 39 Don't put all your eggs in one ba~ki:t. 29 he in your element 42 be out of your element 42 if all else fails .l 5 a dead end 40 at the end of the day 3 1 be at the end of your t ether 21 be a t your wits' end 3 be at/on tne rt:\:eiving end 9 get (hold of) rhe wrong end uf the stii:k 4 go off rhe deep end 3 jump in the deep end .33 light at thi: en d of che rttnnel 8 not he rhe end of rhe world 2 throw sh in the deep end 3.1

ro the bicrer end 39 burn rhe candle a t both ends 41 ~o to rhe ends of the earth 33 odds and ends i tie up loo:.e ends 8 be your own worst enemy 38 be man enough tO do sth ii he green with envy 34 a narrow escape 16 a necessary evil l 6 the lesser of two evils 15

make an exhibition of yourself ·13 put st h down ro experience 5 an eye-opener 50 as far as the eye can see 60 cast/run your eye over 50

English Idioms in Use

f 75

catch sb's eye SO ha,•e/keep one eye on 50 in eh<: blink of an eye i, 50 in ~·our mind's eye 50, 53 keep an eye on 50

keep an eye out for sb/sth 50

see srh out of rhe corner of nmr eve .rn turn a blind eye 50 · see eye to eye 50 raise (a few) cvcbrm..·s 50 not bat an eye.lid 50 be up to your eyes/ears (in work) 25 can't keep your eyes off 50 couldn't believe your eyes 50 have eyes l~kc a nawk 6G open sh's eyes ro srh 50 with your eyes opcn 50 face the music 7 a long face 5 S be as plain as tht: nose on your face 60 h:n'e egg on your face 39 keep a straight face 49 make/pull a face 49 on the face of ir 49 put a brave face on srh 49 scuff your face ii take srh ar face va lue 49 until you are blue in the face 34 face to face 49 a fact of life 7 the facts of life 7 fade/pale into insignificance ·14 if all else fails 15 nor have the faintest idea 4

fall into place 8 fall/come off the hack of a lorr}· 54 fall off your perch 1 faU on stony ground 33 falUland on your feet 46 he as t:asy as falling off a log 17

under false pretences 13 have a familiar ring (ro it) 4 as far as the eye can sec 60 he ~ far cry from sth 23 fast and furious 26 be :is light as a feather 60 birds of a feather 29

find your feet 46 get cold feet 46 get/have itchy feet 1, 46 have/keep both/your feet on the ground 46 stand on your own two feet 46 sir on the fence 41 fever pitch 26 be as fir as a fiddle 1 a level playing field 35 fight a losing battle 38 an uphill fight/hanle/strugglt: 40 be a figment of your imagination 5 have rnur fill of 2 1 find ~ur how the land lies 42 find your feet 46 a fine/thin line 56 cue things fine 16 rhe fine/small prim 28 not lift a finger 45 pull yollf finger out 17 put your finger on sth 45 cross your fingers 45 get/have your fingers burned/burnt 45 have green fingers 34, 45 keep your fingers crossed 45 at your fingertips 45 There's no smoke withou t fire. 33 add fuel to the fire/flames 33 get on like a house on fire 22 hold fire 38 nor set the world on fire .B play with fire .B be in th<; firing line 38 first hand 45

a cold fish 36 be like a fish out of water 60 have/throw a fit 3 be: as fit as a fitid\e 1 add fuel to rhe flames/fire 33

be as flat as a pancake 60 fla vour of the rnonrh .~9 H ow time flies! 11 be floatirtg/walking on air 2 get in on the ground floor 59 go with rhe flow 42 fly off the handle 4 J a fly on the wall 36

ruffle sb's feathers 3

wouldn't hurt a fly 36

fed up {to the back teeth) 3 I Ic;in) feel it in mv bones ii. 4 7 fe~l/be at homC:' 4 i . feel/he under rhe wc::athn put out fe.dcrs 37 a gut feeling/reaction 53 have mixed feelings 21 rushed off your feet 25, 46 be under you r feet 46 cur the ground from under sh 's feet 59 drag your feet/heels 26, 46 fall/land on your feet 46

get off to a flying scan 26 foaming ar che mouth 51 not have rhc foggiest (idea) 4 follow in sb's foocsccps 46

176 English Idioms in Use

fotlQw !'.Uit 35 follow/take a t:ourse of action .57 he a hard/tough act ro follow 12 Absence makes the hcarr grow fonder. 29 give sb food for thought S act the fool/goat i, 57 You could've fooled me. 15 foot the bill 46

~etlhavt:

get your foot in the dnor 4 I get/srart off o n t he w rong fo ot 46 put your foot down i, 46 put your foot in it 7, 46 follow in sb's footsteps 46 a foregone condusion 19 a small fortune 23, 24 lose a small fortune 24 make a small fortune 24 as cunning/.~ly as a fox 60

llngua franca 28 as free a s a bird i, 60 give sb free rein 36 give sh a free hand 4.5 a breath o f fresh air 42 frighten/sca re t he (livingl daylights ou t of hear fruit 39 be as nutty as a fruitcake I add fuel t~ rhe fire/fla mes 33 be in full swing 26 have your h ands full 25, 45 poke! fun at 12 fast and furious 26 blow a fuse/gasket J, 44 gain ground 59 blow a gasket/fuse 3, 44 gcr inco gear 44 Get a life! 11 get (hold of) the wrong end of che srick 4 get (sth) off the ground .59 get J be given the sack 25 get a (real) kick o ut of srh 2 get a move on 26 get a w ord in edgeways 28 get hlood out of a stone 53 get cold feet 46 get in o n the acr 57 get in on the ground floo r 59 get into gear 44 get it o ff your chest 4 9 get off ro a flying stare 26 get o n like: a house o n fire 22 get o ut of a rut 25 get out of bed on the w rong side 4 l

get out of hand 45 get right up sb's nose 51 get the message 5 get the picrure 4 1 get to grips wit h 8 get to the borrom of 8 get wind of srb .'B g<.:t your act together 57 get your foot in t he door 4 1 get ~·o ur head (a) round 48 get your lines/wires crossed 44 get your ow n w ily 9 ger/give sb the sack 25 get/go he~'ond a joke 26 get/go fro m A tO B 40 get/gra te o n ~h's nerves 12

11

iu:hy feet 1. 46

get/have your fingers burned/ burnt 45 get/jump/lea p o n the ba ndwago n 13 get/ler s h o ff t he hook 9 get/put s b's back up 3, 54 get/scan off nn t he wrong foot 46 get/be/stay in touch with sb 22 get/have/take rhe hit between your teeth 36 gi ,·e as good a.~ you get 12 give up the ghost 1, 6 nm: have t he ghost of a chance 6 no t look a gift horse in the mo uch ii give as good as you get 12 give gro und 59 give it a shot/whirl 8 give sb a buzz 44 give sb a dose/taste of their own medicine give sb a free hand 45 give sb a hand 45 give sb a hard/ ro ugh/tough rime ·12, ·14 give sb I get the .sack 25 give sb a piece of your mi nd 3 give s b an earful 3 gi\'e sb food for tho ught 5 give s b free rein 36 give sb the ben efit of the do ubt 10 give sb the cold s houlder 4 7, 4 9 give srh the g reen light 34 give srh the thumbs do wn/up 45 give sch up as a ba
au

go to ground 59 go to the dogs J 7 go to the ends of the eart h .1.3 go to rh e polls 9 go under yo ur own steam 44 go up in smo ke '.B

English Idioms in Use

I 77

go with the flow 42 go/get beyond a joke 26 go/get from A to B 40 go/work like a dream 6 go/nm/work like clockwork 32 be on the go 25 have a go at 17 let yourself go 14 make a go of 6 nor go amiss 18 act the goat/fool i, 57 be in th~ lap of the gods 19 your mind goes blank .rn be as good as gold 60 like gold dusc 12 Tt's no good I There's no point <:rying over spilt

milk. 29 be as good as gold 60 he in sb's good books 22 give as good as you get 12 stand sb in good stead 58 airs and graces 20 go against the grain 42 take sb/sch for granted 19 sour grapes 2 hear sth on/through the grapevine 5 t he grass is always greener 29 grate/get on sb's nerves 12 like greased lightning 60 the greatest/best t hing sin<:c sliced hre:id 39 green belr 34 be green with envy 34 give sth the green light 34 have green fingers 34, 45 the grass is always greener 29 a grey area 34 grin and bear it 2 have an axe to grind 38 get to grips w ith 8 grit your teeth 5 I ground-breaking 12 he thick/thin on the ground 59 <.:0mmon ground 59 cnt the ground from under sh's feet 59 fall on stony ground 33 gain ground 59 get (sdt) off the ground 59 get in on the ground floor 5 9 give ground 59 go to ground 59 have/keep both/your feet on the gro und 4 6 hold/stand your ground ii, .59 on dangerous ground 59 prepa re the ground 59 run to ground 33 sb's stamping/sto mping ground 59 shift your ground 59 suit sb down to the ground 59 the middle: ground 23 wish the ground would swallow you up 59

178

English Idioms in Use

Ahsence ma kes rhe he
have a sweet tooth 39 have a word in sb's car 51 have all the makings of 13 have an axe to grind 38 have burrerflies in your stomach 36 have egg on your face 39 have eyes like a hawk 60 have green fingers 34. 45 have had it up to here .i have it in for sb 22 have it out w ith sb 22 have itchy feet 1 h ave mixed feelin1;:s 2 1 have sb over a harrel 7 have second thoughts i, 5 have seen better days 31 have sth on the brain 53 have the edge over I 3 have your cake and cat it 19 have your fi ll of 21 have your hands full 25, 45 have vour heart set on sth 52 have your work cut our 2S have/get itchy feet 1, 46 have/get your fingers burned/hurnt 45 havc/ger/rake the bit between your teeth 36 havdkeep an o pen mind 53 have/keep one eye o n SO have/keep both/your feet on the grounJ 46 have/throw a fit 3 not have a cl ue 4 not have a leg to stand on 4 7 not have the:: faintest idea 4 nor h ave che foggiest (idea) 4 nor have the ghost of a chance 6 have eyes like a hawk 60 be headhunred 2S be banging/hitting your head against a hri1.:k wall ii, 48 be like a bear with a sore head 37, 60 bite sb's head off 48 bring sth w a hea d 4 8 come co a head 48 get your head (a)roun
scream vour head off 48

sh our v~ur head off 48 ru n round like a headless chicken 37 t\1m head<> 4& he ar sth on/through the grapcvim: 5 Absence makes the heart grnw fonder. 2 9

a change of heart 52

a man/woman after your own heart 52 bare rour heart/soul 52 break sb's heart 52 ha ve your heart set on sth 52 kno\~/lea rn srh off by heart 52 lose heart 52 o pen your heart 52 pour your heart out .52 put your heart anJ soul into srh 52 sb's heart is in t he righr place .52 sb's heart is in their mouth 51 sb's heart misses/skips a beat 52 sb's heart sinks 52 si:t vour heart on sch 52 rak~ srh to heart 51 tu vuur heart's content 52 he~rt-to-heart 52 in the heat of t he moment 33 be in seventh heave11 2 heavy-going 17 as heavy as lead 60 dig your heels in 46 drag your heels/feet 26, 46 hard/ ho t on the heels of sth 46 like a bat out of hell 60 have had ir up to here 3 a red herring 34 a hidden agenda 9 a high-flyer 20 hit sb where it hurts (most) 11 hit the hig rime 6 hie the ceiling/roof 41 hit rhe road 40 hit/be rock bottom 42 nor know whar hie me 21 be hitting/banging yom head ag:iinst a brick wall ii, 48 a hive of activitv 57 hold fire 3 8 . hold t he key ro sth 41 hold your ground ii hold/keep sb at arm 's length 47 hold/stand your ground 59 gcr (hold of) the:: wrong end of the stick 4 put srh on hold 25 be left holding the baby 7 a black hole 34 dig yourself into a hole 7 need srh like you need a hole in the head 18 he/feel ar home 41 bring sth homt: ro sb 41 come home to you 4 I make voursdf at h ome 41 by hook or hy crook i, 17 get/let sb off the hook 9 take'. the bull by the horns 37 a dark horse 3(, nut look a gift horse in the mouth u hot/ha rd on rhe heels of sth 46

English Idioms in Use

179

be in hot water 33 blow hot and cold 33 strike while the iron is hot 15 get on like a house on fire 22

be as safe as houses 41 people who live in glass houses 29 wouldn't hurt a fly J6 hit sb where it hurts (most) ii the icing on the cake 39 nor have the faintest idea 4 not have the foggiest (idea) 4 put ideas into l>b's head 48 if need b<: 18 be a figment of your imagination 5 from time immemorial ii in a nughdl 10 in cold blood 53 in keeping with srh 18 in rhe hag f\ he in line for sth 56 be in the air 42 be in the dark 42 be in the doldrums 4 3 he in th e red 34 be in your clement 42 he/get/stay in tnuch with sb 22 have it in fo< sb 22 keep in touch with sh 22 keep sb in the picture 41 pur sb in the picture 41 not budge/give an inch 10, 23 add insult to injury 12 the i.ns and {)~1ts 5 know sth inside out 4 fade/pale into insignificance 14 add insult to injury 12 strike while rhe iron is hot 1.5 get/have itchy feet l, 46 give sth up as a bad job 58 make the best of a bad job 58 jog sb's memory 30 be no joke 27 come (hack) down to earth with a jolt/bang/ bump ·1i, 42 jump for joy 2, 21 against your better judgement 5 8 ium~ for \oy 2, 21 jump in the deep end 33 jump the gun 38 jump/get/leap on the bandwagon I 3 the law of the jungle 37 Just my luck! 19 keep a !id on sch 14 keep a low profile 20 keep a straight focc 49 keep an eye on 50 keep an eye out for sb/sth 50 keep an open mind 53 keep in touch with sb 22 keep sb in rhe dark 42

180 English Idioms in Use

keep sb in rhc picture 41 keep sh on rheir tot:s 46 keep sb/sth at bay 22 keep track 26 keep up a.ppearanc~ 20 keep your finge rs crossed 45 Keep your hair on! 49 keep your hand in 45 keep your head 48 keep your heaJ above water 4 8 keep your head down 48 keep yom!'>elf to your!'>elf 22 keep/hear in mind 30 keep/have an opc.n mind 53 keep/have one t'.yc: on .SO keep/have both/your feet on th e ground 46 keep/hold sb ar arm's length 47 can't keep your eyes off 50 in keeping with sth lS hold rhe key to sth 4 l kick rhe hucket 1 get
not take kindly to sth 21 on a kni fe-e
the law of the jungle 37 lay/put your cards on the cable 35 lead sb astray 16 as heavy as lead 60 one thing leads to another 15 shake like a leaf 42 take a leaf o ut of sb's book 41 lean/bend over backward:; 54 leap/gerijump on the bandwagon 13 by/in leaps and bounds 26 learn the ropes 43 learn your lesson 5 learnfknow sth off by hearr 5 2 leave a lot ro be desired 1.) leave a sour casre in die rno urh 3.9 leave sb in the lurch 14 leave sb to cheir own dcvic.:cs 9 leave well alone 16 leave vour mark 6 I can rake it or leave ic. 11 left, right and centre 26 be left holding the baby 7 the left hand doesn 't know whar t he right ha nd is doing i cosr (sh) an arm and a leg 4 7 not have a leg to stand on 47

pull

sn'.~

leg 47

hold/keep sb at arm's length 47 go to any/greac lengths 55 the les~cr of rwo evils 15 learn your lesson 5 reach sh a lesson 5 let off steam 44 let the cat out of the bag ii, 37 let yourself go 14 lee/get sb off the hook 9 a level playing field 3S keep a lid o n srh 14 lie through your reerh i, 5 l a pack of lies 2 7 · fin d o ut how the land lies 42 a fact of life 7 be larger than life 23 can't fo r the life of me 4 Get a life! 11 Such is life. 11 take vour life into vom hands 16 T hat;s life. 11 · lt'sfThat's the stor}' of mv life. 11 the facts of life 7 · This is rhe life! 11 your life is in sb's hands I 6 once in a lifetime 32 nor lift a finger 4 5 t humh a lift 45 light
give srh the green lighr 34 make light of 27 Many hands make light work. 29 shed/throw lighr on 8 like greased lightning 60 like gold dust 12 A likely story. 27 be our on a limb 16 go o ut on '' limb I 6 line ot \.vork 56 a fine/thin line 5 6 be i11 line for sth 56 be in rhc firing line 3 8 be o u1 of line 5 6 drawn line 11ndcr srh 56 draw the line (ac sth) 56 drop sb a line 56 sign on the dotted line 56 step out of line 56 rhe hortom line 56 tuc the line 46 along rhe lines o f srh 56 a long/on the right lines 5 6 along/o n the same lines 56 get your lines/wires c rossed 44 rca long as your arm SS come a long Wl)" 55 cut a lo ng story short i, 5.S go ;i long w ay 55 go bal'.:k a lo ng way SS How long is a piece of stri ng? 55 in th e: long run 31 in chc lo ng/medium/short t erm 31

It's a long story. 55 Lo ng time no see. 55 long-winded 55 rake a long, hard look at sth 5 5 look daggers ar 38 look like death warmed up 1 look like something the cat hroughr/Jrage.ed

in 60

· ,.

English Idioms

i11

Use

I8 I

look right/straight through sh 14 not look a gift horse in the mouth 11 take a Jong, hard look at sth 55 loom large 23 have a screw loose l tie up loose ends 8 come/fall off the back of a lorry 54 lose a small fortune 24

lose he:.m 52 lose sight of 5 lose your head 48 fight a losing hartle 38 be a dell.cl loss 13 he lost for words 27 make up for lost time 31 have a lot of time for sh 3·1 have a lot to <'.lnswet for l 3

leave a lot

to

be desired ·13

loud anc.I clear 28 Actions speak louder than wonh. 29 keep a low profile 20 be in luck 18 Just my luck! 19 No such luck! 11 , 19

push. yuld he ~o lucky! 19 bring a lump t u your throat 14 leave sb in the lurch 14 in the bp of luxury 24 be madi: for "I 2

wave a magic wand 8 work like magic 6 snail mail 37 make a beeline for sb/sth 36 make a big thing of 23 make a clean breast of it 49 make a go of 6 make a killing 24 make a name for vourself 20 make a real pig of yourself 36 make a small fortune 24 make al! the difference 6 make an exhibition of your~df 1.1 make
make rhe most of 14 make up for lost rime 31

make up your mind 53 make waves 33 make your day 2, 21 make sb's mouth water 39, 5 1 make yourself at home 41

make/pull a face 49 Don't make mt: laugh. 11 have all the makings of 13

182 English Idioms in Use

a man/woman a fti:r vour uwn hearc 52 he man enough ro sth ii Many hands make light work. 29 put sth on che map 40 a question mark (hanging) over 28 be wide of the mark 35 leave vour mark 6 matre~-of-fact 28 he a matter of opinio n 28 be no laughing miltter 27 be onlv a matter of time 31 be that as it mav 10 not know the m'eaning of the word 28 give sh a dose/tasrc of their own medicine in the medium/long/short cerm 31 commit sth ro memory 30 have a memorv like a sieve 60 in/within living memory 30, 31 jog sb's memory 30 take a stroll/trip down memory [;rne 30 be on t he mend 1 The more the merrier. .l 1 ger the message :l While rhc cat's away, the mice will play. 29 take th<: micklmickey 2.7 middle-of-the-road 40 caught in the middle 23 in rhe middle o f nowhere 23 steer a middle course 43 the middle ground 2.~ sec/spot sth a mile uff 19, 23 stand/stick out a mile 23 be miles awav 23 It's no good There's no poinr crving over spilt milk. 29 T hanks a million! 11 Out of sight, out of mind. 30 at the back of your mind 53 be a load/weight off your mind 5 3 bear/keep in mind 30

do

i

come/spring to mind 30 cross your mind 30 give sb a piece of your mind 3 ha ve a mind of its own 53 ha,·c/kr.:r.:p an oprn mind 53 make up your mind 53 put/set sb's mind at n:st 53 slip you r mind 30 speak your mind 28 your mind goes bl:ank JD in you r mind's eye 50, 53

not have a minute to call your own 32 a misery gurs 2 miss the boat 4 .1 miss rhe point 28 sb's heart misses/skips a beat 52 have mixed feelings 21

in the heat of the lTIOment :n on the spur of the moment 35 a money-spin ner ].4

go off the deep end 3 off and on 32

spend money like water 24 flavour of the mo11th 39 be over the moon 2, 42 once in a blue moon 32 T he more the merrier. 11

off the top of your head 4 8 off vou r own hat 35 off-~olour l off-the-cuff 2 7 on and off 32 on the off·chance 19

make the most of l4 gti th rough the motions 17 hv word of mouth 51 foaming a t rhc mouth 51 leave a sour taste in the mouth J9 Jive (from) hand to mouth 5 1

make sb's mouth water 39, 51 mouth-watering 5 I not look a gifr horse in the mouth sb's heart is in their mouth 5 1 get a move on 26 face the music 7

11

ma ke a name for yourself 20 vou name it 1 I he caught napping 16 a narrow escape 16 a necessary evil 16 he a pain in t he neck 49 breathe down sb's neck 49 if need he 18 need sth like vou need a hole in the head 18 neither here ~or chere 11 get/grate on sh'.~ nerves 12 a Jlervous/quivering wreck 43 never live st h down ·15 new blood 20 in the nick of time J 1 nine t imes out of ten 32 be on cloud nine 2 in no rime at all 32 be second to none 12 neither here nor there 11 be as plain as the nose on your face 60 get right up sh'!> nose S I No such luck! 11, 19 No way! 11 · pay t hrough the nose fo r sth i, 24 poke/srick your nose inco 51 turn your nose up 5 1 be not on 15 There's nothing to it. 11 think nothing of 14 in t he middle of nowhere 23 pluck a number out of the air 33 do your nut 3 in a nutshell I 0

be 3.!; nutty as a fruit1;akc l put/stick your oar in 43 a drop in the ocean 33 the odd one o ur 20 against (a ll) (the) odds ii, 19 odds and en
he on about 27 be on e
o n a knife-edge 16 on and off 32 on paper 25 on rhe big/expensive, etc. side 1.1 on the blink 50

on the face of ir 49 on the one hand l 0 on rhe other hand I O. 45 on the spot 26 co he on the safe side 8 once ~rnd for all 32 o nce in a blue moon 32 once in a lifetime .n he one sandwich short of a pirni( come down <>n one side o r t he other 41 could do sth with one arm/hand cicJ behind your back 54 f>on't pm all yom eggs in one ba~ket. 29 go one better 58 go hack to squa re one .H go in one ear and out the other 5 1 have/keep one eye on 50 kill two birds w ith one st one i, ii, 3 7 on the one hand 10 one thing leads to a nother 15 one way or anorher 15 six of o.ne and h;i.lf a dozen of rhc other J I the odd one our 20 open sb's eves to sth 50 open your hea rt 52

ha"efkeep an open m\nd 53 with ~-our eyes open 50 be a matter of opinion 28 be a tall order 28 on rhe other hand 10 six of one and half a dm.en of rhc other 11 the other side of t he coin 10 out of the b lue i. 42 out-of-date 3 1 .

English Idioms in Use

183

he out for blood 3 be out of action 57 be out of line 56 be out of sorrs 2 be out of t his world 12 be out of rouch with 4 be out of your depth 33 be out o f vou r clement 42 be out on ·a limb 16 get out of hand 4 5 go out o f your way ro d o sdl 17 go out on a limb 16 go all out 17 have ir out with sb 22 o ut-an
I 84

English Idioms in Use

11

make a n.:a l pig of yourself 36 put/send the car among the pigeons i, .3, .37 a bitter pill (ro swallO\.v) 1 s ugar the pill I ~l pillar of society 20 be in t he pipeline 44 fever pitch 26 all o\·er rhc place 26 fall into place 8 sb's h<.:a rt in tht.: right place 52 go places 6 avoid sth like the plague 60 he plain sailing 43 be as plain as the nose on your face 60 live on another planet 42 all work and no play 29 be child's play 17 play ba ll 35 play dev il's advocate:: 13 play it by ear SI play with fire :B play yo ur cards r ight 35 W hile rhe car's away, the m ice wi ll play. 29 a lt:vcl playing field 35 pluck a nurnher o ut o f the a ir 33 take the plunge 35 There's no point I It's no good crying o ver spilt milk. 29 a sore point/spot l be beside the point 28 mi ss the point 28 poke fun at 12 poke/stick your nose into 5 1 l wouldn 'r touch sb/sth w ith a barge pole. 18 politically correct 20 go to the polls 9 pop yonr clogs 1 take pot luck 19 pour cold water on sth J.J pour your heart our 52 the a nswer ro sb's prayers 8 prepare the ground 59 under fal se pretences 13 at a (considerab le) price 24 pay the price for 24 t he fine/small print 28 no prizes for guessing sth 19 keep a low profile 20 blow srh our of (a ll ) proportion 14 the pros and cons i, 10 pull out (all ) th e stops 25 pull sb's leg 4 7 pull your finger our 17 pull your weight 17 pull/make a face 4 9 pu!Vtear your hair our 49 push the boar out 43 push your luck 19 at a push 17 if push comes to shove 18

be pushing up (the) daisics ii Don't put all your eggs in one hasket. 2 9 not know where co put yourself 21 put a brave face on st h 4~ put ideas into sb's head 48

is doing i ring a hell 30 have a familiar ring (to it) 4 (not) ring a bell I an>· bells (wirh me) 4 (no t ) ring true 27

put un an act 57 put out feelers 3 7

set alarm bells ting\n~ 16 a rip-off 24

put paid to 24 put !>h in the picture 41 put srh down to cxpcri1:1icc 5 put srh on hol'our oar in 43 putftnmw a spanner in the worb 44 a n unknown quantity 23 a question mark (hanging) Ovt'r 28 a quivering/nervous wn:c.:k 43 rack rour brains 30 be like a red rag to a bull 60 road rage 40 be as right a s rain 1 raise (a fe w) eyebrows 50 ram srh down sb's throat 49

road rage 40 hit the road 40 on the road t o rcc un~ ry bclhit rock bottom 42 rock the boat 43 be off your rocker 1 $t;1rt t he ball rolling 35 hit the roof/ceiling 4 l not ienough ) room ro swing :1 cat .17 know thL" ropes 43 le;nn the ropes 4 3 show sb the ropes 43 rough and read y i, 13 :1 rough diamond 20 giv1: sb a rough/hard/to u~h time 12, 14 rub sb up t he wrong way 3, 22 ruffle sb's feathers 3 a fulc of thumb 45

a gut reaction/feeling 53 read between the lines .'>6 rough and ready i, 13 get a (real) kick out of sch 2 he at/on t he receiving end 9 recharge your ban eries 1 pm/set the record straight 5 on rhe road to reco ver y 1 red rape 34 a red herring 3 4 be in the red 34 he like J red rag to a bull 60 carch sb red-handed 34 give sb free rein 36 pur/set sb's m ind ac rest 53 There's no rest/peace for t he wicked! along/on the right lines 56 be a> right as rain I he on the right track 40

ldt,

ri~ln

bt'.nt\ the rules 9 be 011 the run 26 in the long run 31 run round like a he,\dless chicken 3 7 run t o ground 33 run-of-the-mill 25 run/case your eye over 50 run/go/w o rk ,like clockwork 32 rushed off your feet 25. 46 be stuck in a rut 40 ger our of a rut 25 get I be given the sack 25 get I give sb the sack 25 safe and ~ound i, ·16 be as safe as houses 41 to be o n rhe safe side 8 easier said than done 7 sail dose ro the wind 4 3 be plain sailing 43

h: th<: salt of the earth 33

11

and ccncre 26

look right/straigh t through sh 14 not be right in the head I play your cards right 35 sb's heart is in che right place 52 the left hand doesn't know what rht' right h:in.-t

,,]()ng/on the same lines 56 br in the same boat 43 he on the same wavelength 44 in the same breath 27 be o ne sandwich s horr of a picnic You can say that again ! 11 scan:/frighren che (living)
from scratch 32 You scratch mv back and scrt:am your h~ad off 48

11

rn scrnn:h 'ours.

S4

·

lrn\'e a screw loose I

he all ar sea 43 bccwc:c:n the devil and thL"
English Idioms in Use

185

take a back sear 54 second best 58 be second to none 12 h.ive second thoughts i, 5 as far as rhe eve can see 60 bi: glad/happyipleased/nor sorry co see tht> h,1..::k

of srh .54 Long time n o sec. 55 see eye to eye 50 sec how I which way the win
a shoulder to cry on 4 7 give sh the cold shoulder 47, 4 9 have a chip on your sho ulder 4 7 seand shoulder ro shou Jder 4 7 shout \·our head off 48 if push comes to shove 18 show sb rhe ropes 43 be sick and cired 21 come down on one side or the other 4 1 get out of bed on the wrong side 4 I on the big/expensive, etc. side 13 the other side of the coin 10 ro be on the safe side 8 have a memory like a sieve 60 lose sight of 5 Out of sight, o ur of mind. 30 be a sign of rhe times 3 1 sign on rhe dotted lin e 56 be as ugly as sin 60 sb's heart sinks 52

186

English Idioms in Use

sit on the fence 41 six of one and half ~l do:t.en of the othe r 11 all shapes and sizes 23 by rhe skin of your teeth 16, 5 1 sh's heart skips/misses a beat 52 sleep li ke a log 42 :i slicdpiece of the action 57 t he besr/grearest thing since sliced bread 39 a slime ball ii a slip of the wngue 27 s\i.p your mind ~O be as slippery as an eel 60 slog/sweat/work your gm.s o ut 53 as sly/cunning '15 a fox 60 a small fonunc 23, 24 in small do.~ es 23 It's a small world. 11 lose a small fortune 24 make a small fortune 24

small ralk 27 t he small/fine print 28 There's no smoke wirhour fire..H go up in smoke 33 at a snail's pace 37

snail mail 37

be snowed under 25 a pillar of society 20 have a soft spot for sb 22 a sore point/spot 1 be like a bear with a sore head 37, 60 scand/srick o ut like a sore th umb 45 he o ut of sorts 2 bare vour soul/heart 52 put y~u r heart :rnd soul inro sth 52 safe and sound i, 16 leave a sour taste in rhe mout h .19 sour grapes 2 put/throw a spanner in the works 44 go ~pare 3 Actions speak lo uJer than worJs. 2~ speak your mind 2.8 not be o n speaking terms 3 spend money like water 24 It's no good I T here's no point crying on:r spilt milk. 29 a spin doctor 9 a sore spot/point have a soft spot for sb 22 011 the spot 2 6 spoc/see srh a mile off 23 spread like wildfire 33 spi:ead yo llrself too thin 7 th e word spr ead 26 ~pring/1:om.e m mind 30 o n rhe spur of t he moment 35 go back to square ont! 35 slab s b in t he hack 54 the cards are stacked against you 19 sh's stamping/stomping ground 5\1 know where you stand 5

not have a leg to stand o n 4 7

srand o n your own two fret 46 stand sh in good stead S8 stand shoulder ro sho ulder 4 7 stand the rest ot time 3 1 stand your ground ii srand/hold yo ur ground 5 ';) stand/stick out a mile 23 stand/stick ouc likt a so re chumb 4 5 get off co a fl ying start 26

sian rhe hall rolliJJg 35 start/get o ff o n the wrong foot 46 state-of-the-arc 44 panic stations 16 stay/be/get in touch w ith s b 22 sr;1nd sb in good stead 58 go under your own steam 44 let off s team 44 steer a middle course 4 3 steer clear of 4 3

step inro sb's shoes 25 step out of line 56 step by step 26 get (hold of) the wrong end o f the stick 4 stick to your guns 38 stick/poke your nose inro S] stick/put chc k nife in ii, 38 stick/put your oar in 4 3 stick/stand out a mile 23 stick/sca n d o ut like a sore thumb 4 5 a laughing stock 13 have butterflies in your stomach 36 sh's stomping/sta mping ground S9 get blood out of a scone 53 kill rwo birds with o ne stone i, ii, 37 fall on stony ground 33 pu ll ou t (all ) t he stops 25 ;\ likely story. 27 It's a long story. 55 lt'sffhar's che story of my life. ·1 1 cut a long scory s hore i, 5S keep a straight face 4 9 look straight/right through sb 1-1 put/sec the record straight 5 be in dire straits 7 ic's the last straw 2 9 clutch at straws 7 be (right) up your street/alley 4 0 go from scrength to strength 6 strike while the iron is h o t 15 How lo n g is a piece of s tring ? 55 ta ke a strolVtrip down mcm on· bnc .rn be as strong as an ox 60 · an uphill struggle/battle/fight 40 be stuck in a nn 40 stuff ' 'our focc it kno\\·: Yotir st uff 4 a stum,bling block -; sb/sch is 3 ,·i.:tin1of1 hc1rii1s 0\\ n ~ u cccss 6 Such is li fr . I I

sugar rhe pill 1 follow suit 35 suit sb down to the grouno :;.;:, a bittt.:r pill (to swallow) l wish che gro und would swallow ' o _ ~ , _ sweat/slog/work your guts out have a sw eet rooth .39 be all sweetness and light 12 he in full swing 26 not (enough) room to swing a cat 37 pick up chc tab/hill ii, 24 lay/pll( your cards o n the table 35 ch:ingc tack 43 tr y a di fferent tack 43 chase rnur tail 36 take/g~t/havc the bic bctwcen your n:cth .36 I can take it or leave it I I not take kindly to sth 21 nor tak e no fo.r an a nswer 28 take a back seat 54 rah· .1 it"af our of sb 's book 4 I tak e a long, hard look at srh 55 tah a shine co sb 22 take a stroll/trip down m em o ry la ne 30 take ca re of the pence/pennies 2 9 take po t luck I '.:I take sb/sth for granted 19 take ~t h at face value 4 9 cake sth to heart 52 take the bull b v the horns 3 7 take rhc bw in.rn i 1mir own hands ~) take the mickimii:key 27 take rhe pl unge 35 rake votir breach awa v 21 take ;•o ur life inro yo~r h ands 16 take your pick 18 take/follow a course of accion 57 take/get/have the bit bet ween vom rerth 36 he a ll talk (anJ n o action) 57 sm:1ll talk 27 calk sho p 2S he
f herc·s no

acco untm~

for

taste( ~)'

15

reach ~ h :1 l t>~~on 5 ' 1<:ar/ pull your hair ou r 49 hy rhe ~kin of your teeth 16, 5 I fed up (to the back teeth ) J get/have/rake t he bit between your teeth 36 grit your teeth 51 in rhe tee eh of s rh 51 lie t hrough your teeth i. 51 ninr rin1c~ out o f ccn 32 in the .;hn rr/m ed iu m/long: rerm .) I com.: rn term s wirh 14 nor ht on speaking terms 3 :lll :1cid test l O ~r..ind the test of rimt" 31

English Idioms in Use

187

be at chc end of nmr tether 21 Thanks a millior1! "I ·1 That's life. 11 then and there 32 tbere and then 32 There's nothing co it. I I he thick on the ground S9 Blood is thicker than water. 29 a thin/fine line -~ 6 be thin on the ground 59 spread ~·ourself roo thin i do your own thing 18 make a hig thing of 23 one thing leads to another J 5 thc besdgn:atest thing sio..:c sliced bread 39 neverfnot d\) tn\ngs/anything hy halves 13 the shape of things to come 3 1 think better of sth 58 think hig 23 think nothing of 14 This is the life! 11 a crain of thought .30 give sh food for thought -~ give you pause for thoughi n have second thoughts i, 5 hang by a thread 16 b~ on the thresnold of sth 3 l he thrilled tu bits 2, 21 be at each other's throat 49 bring a lump ro )'Our throat 14 ram stn down sb's throat 49 throw sb in the deep end 33 throw the ba bv out with the bathw;:1tcr 13 throw/have a fit 3 throw/put a spanner in the works 44 throw/shed light o n S a rule oi thumb 4.5 be under sb's thumb 4 .S give sth rhe thumbs down/up 45 stand/stick out like a son; chumb 45 thumb a lift 45 tick over 44 the tide turns 33 tie up loose ends 8 tic yourself {up) in knots ii, 10 could do srh with o ne a rm/han d tied hehind your back S4 tighten your belr 24 How time flies! 11 be only a matter of tin1e 3 1 before your time .1 I for the time bcing 31 from rime immemorial ii give sh a hard/rough/tough time 12. 14 have a lot of time for sb 3 J hir the big time 6 in a time warp 31 in no time ac al! 32 in the nick of time 31 Lcmg time no see. 5 5

188 English Idioms in Use

make up for lost time 3 1 stand the rest of time 3 1 from time to time J2 be a sign of the time:s 31

nine times
.~O,

Sl

be sick anJ tired 2 l

to hand 45

roe the line 46 keep sb on their roes 46 toffee-nosed 20 get your ac:r togr.:thet .'i 7 put two and rwo together 4 a~ if there WilS/wcre no tomorrow 31 like there's no comorrow .rl -a slip of the tongue 27 (be) on the tip of your tongue 30, 5] bite your tongue 51 too many cooks 29 have a sweet tooth -~9 ar che top of sb's/thc agenda 15 ar the top of the (caceer) ladder 25 he on top of the world 2, 21 be o ver the top 15 climb ro the top of the career la
the lesser of t\vO evils 15 pur two and two togerller 4 be as ugly as sin 60 b~ under sb's rhumh 45 he under your f,:>e; '16 go under your own sream 44 a n unknown qu:.intiry 2.1 up-and-coming 20, 25 an uphill h:mle/fight/strnggk 40 be ( righl l up your alley/street 40 he up in arms 38 be up in the air 42 make ir up to sh 22 on your way up 20

well-to-do i, 24 wlm1 rhc chips arc down 35 know where you srand 5 not know where to put yoursdf 2 1 whet vom appetite 39 \not) be worth rour while lS gi\"E• it a whi rl/shot K in black and w hite J4

upper-crust 42 take srh at face value 4 9

see how I which wa~· d1.: wind b blowin~ 33 get your wires/lines crossed 44 wish the ~wun
wh ire-colhlr 34 111.> pcacc/rcsr for rht· be wide of the mark 35 spread like wil dfire .B j?;cr wi nd of ~th .B sail dose to the wind 43

The re's

a vicious cirdi.: 10 sb/sth is ~1 victim o f rheir/irs own success (, be walking/floa1 ing on .~ i.- 2 a Ay on rhe wall 36 be banging/hitting your heaJ against a hri.:k wall ii, 48 come up i.lgainst a brick wall 7

ha,....1 worJ in

drive sh up rhe wall 3 wave a m:igic wand 8 for wam of a berrer word 2 7 look like death warmed up 1 in a time warp 3 l

pull ) our \\ .:i!!.111 I leave well :1lnn,· I h wdl-hcclcd

wcll-nfr 24

~-l

yq 1.r

n~11~ d

5I

nm know rh.:

mca nm~

oi dt<.: word 28

rhi:> word sprC';1d 26

he (like) water off a duck's hack i. 37 he in deep water 33 he in hot water 33 he like a fish our of water oil Klood is thicker than water. 29 keep your head above water 48 make sb's mouth water 39, 51 pour cold water o n srh 33 spend money like waccr 24 wave a magic wan d 8 be o n the same wavelengch 44 make waves 33 be in a bad way 58 come a long way 55 get your own way 9 go a long way 55 go back a long way 5 5 go o ut of your way to do sth 1 7 No way! 11 not know which way to rum '.21 on your way up 20 one way or another 1S ruh sb up chc wrong way 3. 22 see ho w/ which W.:J\' rhc ,~·ind is hlnll"in~ ."U be/feel undc;-r th~· ,~- ..-,11h.:r I ·· \\·elg h t /ln.h~ nrt

11

in a word 2 ~

wash your hands of sb/srh 4.S

be! :\

~b ·~ L'
wicked~

'~

word for \~·urd 28 ..\crinns spC'ak louder rh;in words. 2 9 be: lmt for words 27 all 'vork and no pla>· 29 be up to your c;ars/cycs (in work) 25 h::ive vour worl< cur our 25 line o.f work 56 Many hands make Jighr work. l'i work :ig~1 insr rhc clock 32

work like magic 6 work/go like a dre:1m f. workl~o!nrn likt: .:liJL"kwnrk 3.! workislog/~w~·:n ~-our gm<; 1n1r _ q

putflhrow ,1 >P~· 1.•ur ol tlti~ worlJ 12 lr".; .1 "m:ill world. I ! uoc h· eh;,; c.:nJ of the· world 2 nnr ~d rhv \\ orld 1 1 ;~ iirc' 3.) t i:-: k~r or j,o;)i \\'Orlds 5~ your mvn wo rst enemy 38 if rhe worse c.::oim:~ to the worst 58 .'nor_i be wnrth ~-our while ·1~ \\IJulJ11 '1 Jr~·:11111•f 1-1

11<·n ·11t1'>/qui' eri n~ wreck ·U be on the: wrong trnck 40

.1

g<'r (h11ld of", the wrong end oi tht> ~rid.; .~c·t ou1 ui hcd nn the wrong side 41

4

gc-r:\ r.irt ntr on the wrong fc)()r 46

English Idioms

in

Usr

189

rub sb up the wrong way 3, 22 from/since the year dot 3 I keep yourscU to yourself 22

190

English Idioms in Use