Set (1) - I’ve swallowed the

bait Dialogue
Mike : What’s wrong with you these days John? You have always kept your
nose clean!
John : It’s all a hoax . I must admit that I’ve swallowed the bait .
Mike : How come !
John : Unfortunately; I barked up the wrong tree when I counted on Jessie.
It turned out that she had also been planning to get rid of me.
Mike : Oh; I don’t believe it. That’s pathetic .

Vocabulary
Keep one’s nose clean : to stay out of trouble.
A hoax : a plan to deceive someone.
Swallow the bait : to respond to someone's actions or words in the way that
they intended.
How come : used to ask about the reason for something.
Bark up the wrong tree : to be wrong about the reason for something or the
way to achieve something.
Count on : to depend on someone or expect something.
Turn out : prove to be the case.
Get rid of : take action so as to be free of (a troublesome or unwanted person or
thing).
Pathetic : making you feel sad or upset.
Exercise;
Fill in the gaps with the appropriate phrases:
keep one’s nose clean how come
bark up the wrong tree a hoax swallow the bait
turn out count on get rid of pathetic
a . Vic made a................................attempt to apologize.
b . If there's anything I can do,.....................................me.
c . So...................you got an invitation and not me?
d . He described the deception as a cruel …………….
e . The bomb threat.................................to be a hoax.
f . He’s a shrewd fox! He won’t................................this easy.
g . He shook the blankets vigorously to........................the dust.
h . Sid's got to....................................or he'll end up back in prison.
i . I ……………… when I applied to such good colleges with my average
grades.

Answers
Set (2) - Let bygones be
bygones Dialogue

Anne : Our agent’s let us down and spilled the beans . Our secret recipe is
the talk of the town right now.
Suzan : Well, no wonder . Excuse me Anne; but you’re having a taste of
your own medicine . You’ve already played a trick on your boss to get the
job.
Anne : Let’s skip it and let bygones be bygones
. Suzan : Then, treat me to a coffee.

Vocabulary
Let someone down : to fail to support or help someone as they had hoped
Spill the beans : to tell people secret information.
The talk of the town : to be what everyone is talking about.
No wonder : it is not surprising.
To have a taste of one’s own medicine : when someone gets the same bad
treatment that he has been giving others.
Play a trick on : to deceive someone.
Skip it : used to say that one does not want to do something, talk about
something, etc.
Let bygones be bygones: to allow the unpleasant things that have happened in
the past be forgotten.
Treat (someone or oneself) to (something): to pay for or provide something to
someone or oneself as a special gift or treat.
Exercise ;
Fill in the gaps with the appropriate expressions:
let someone down no wonder spill the beans
the talk of the town to have a taste of one’s own medicine
play a trick on skip it let bygones be
bygones
treat (someone or oneself) to (something)
a. I've heard enough about your job, so...............!
b. He got........................................when she decided to turn up late.
c. John and Marta …….. us..........a delightful evening at their home.
d.......................he is not hungry; he has been eating sweets all day.
e. They decided to.............................and made peace with each other.
f. She.............................him out of sheer devilment.
g. He was......................and many newspapers printed his lectures.
h. Trust her to........................, she never could keep a secret.
i. The team didn't want to......................the coach.
Answers
Set (3) - Live within your
means Dialogue
Eric : It’s such a shame we are so broke . Everyone is splurging out there; I
feel like two cents.
Carl : Tomorrow is our pay day and we’re going to be loaded . Aren’t we?
Eric : What we earn is just a drop in the ocean compared to Steven.
Carl : That guy is born with a golden spoon in his mouth . It’s time you
came down to earth and learned how to live within your means.

Vocabulary
Broke : (adj) having little or no money.
Splurge : (v) spend (money) freely or extravagantly.
Feel like two cents : to have a feeling of complete worthlessness or
unimportance.
Loaded : (adj) having a lot of money; wealthy.
A drop in the ocean: a very small amount.
Born with a golden spoon in one’s mouth : Born into a wealthy family.
Come down to earth : to become realistic.
Live within one’s means : to spend less or only as much money as one is
earning.
Exercise;
Fill in the gaps with appropriate expressions :
live within one’s means splurge
loaded a drop in the ocean feel like two
cents come down to earth broke
born with a golden spoon in one’s mouth
a. I'm glad to have finally broken up with Steven, he always made me …….
b. Billionaires swarmed into Nice to ……. millions during the summer
holidays.
c. Most of the students at the exclusive private college were ………
d. Her new boyfriend's absolutely ……………...
e. We're just......................compared to the big investors
f. He began to save money when he finally learned to …………….
g. I was excited to book a vacation, but I ……… when I checked my nearly-
depleted bank account.
h. He went...................owing two million pounds

Answers
Set (4) - Fed up with cutting corners
Dialogue
Mary : The New Year is just around the corner . It’s time to shop around
for bargains.
Suzan : Yeah, you’re right. Everything is sky-high nowadays and I’m fed up
with cutting corners just to make ends meet .
Mary : Why don’t you cut down on smoking then?
Suzan : You may say I’m making excuses . But it does give me some solace .
Mary : Get out of here !

Vocabulary
Around the corner: very near.
Shop around: to go to several shops before you decide what to buy.
Sky-high: very high.
To be fed up with: annoyed, unhappy, or bored, especially with a situation that
has existed for a long time.
Cut corners: do something perfunctorily so as to save time or money.
Make ends meet: to have enough money to buy what you need to live.
Cut down on: to do or use less of something.
Make an excuse : to give a reason for doing something you shouldn't do.
Give solace: to help and comfort when you are feeling sad or worried.
Get out of here !: used to express disbelief.
Exercise
Fill in the gaps with the appropriate expression;
cut corners sky-high make ends meet cut down
on around the corner shop around be fed up with
give solace get out of here make an excuse
a...................................She would never say such a thing about me.
b. When you're buying a flight, you should always................for the best deal.
c. One approved applicant has a dazzling credit report with a...........rating.
d. The Chancellor of the Exchequer says that economic recovery is just ……….
e. Rail passengers..................cancellations and delays.
f. The government …………… when they built the school with bad materials,
and put everyone in danger.
g. She ………….. all sorts of.............for not getting her work done
h. They could hardly.....................and their debts were piling up.
i. Music was the only thing to ……….. him..............during his illness.
Answers
Set (5) - He should crack the
whip Dialogue
Mike : Why are you down in the dumps ?
Suzan : Carl has foiled all our plans . I was going to take a few days off
work but he turned down my request on the pretext of a due deadline and
that they cannot do without me for the time being .
Mike : You’re kidding ! If your husband heard that, he would hit the ceiling .
Suzan : He must step in and put a stop to Carl’s arrogance. He’s the
company’s owner after all and he should crack the whip .

Vocabulary
Down in the dumps : discouraged, depressed, or sad.
Foil a plan : to spoil a plan; to cause it to fail.
Take time off : to take a break from one's employment or school.
Turn down : to refuse someone's request.
On the pretext of : a false reason used to explain why you are doing
something.
A due deadline : the time something should be delivered.
Do without : to manage without.
For the time being : for the present; until some other arrangement is
made. You’re kidding : You cannot be serious; I don't believe it; this can't
be true. Hit the ceiling : to explode in anger; to go crazy.
Step in : to become involved in a difficult situation, especially in order to help.
Put a stop to : to cause to end.
After all : used to add information that shows that what you have just said is
true.
Crack the whip : to use your authority to make someone else behave better or
work harder.
Exercise
Fill in the gaps with the appropriate expressions:
take time off turn down on the pretext
of down in the dumps hit the
ceiling after all crack the whip
do without Step in
You’re kidding for the time being
a due deadline foil a plan Put a stop to
a.......................me! That guy couldn't manage his way out of a paper bag!
b. I'm going to.................the corruption in this department once and for all!
c. For partnership returns, the........is March 15 and the 15th day of the third month.
d. He spun some tale about needing to...........................work.
e. The world is but a little place, …………………….
f. We can't........................the help of your organization.
g. He asked her to marry him but she ……. him ………….
h. She's been.......................ever since she lost the match
i. Man, my old lady is really.........................on me to get the lawn mowed.
j. He used to spend hours at her house............giving her Japanese lessons.
k. Dad will.......................when he finds out I've left school.
l. Palace officials asked the government to ………………….
m. Fortunately, the police were able to ……… the kidnapper's …………….
Answers
Set (6) - I just couldn’t put up with those silly pranks
Dialogue

Eric : Did you enjoy the show?

David : No, it was rubbish . Wasn’t it?
Eric : I just couldn’t put up with those silly pranks ; they just weren’t my
cup of tea , but I had to stick it out because I was with two of my friends.
David : Well, make sure you see the trailers next time.
Eric : Can you do me a favor and cancel tonight’s tickets. The whole thing is
a kind of pouring money down the drain .
David : With pleasure .

Vocabulary
Rubbish : (noun) something that is of bad quality.
Put up with : to tolerate; endure.
Prank : (noun) a trick that is intended to be funny.
Not one’s cup of tea : not what one likes or is interested in.
Stick it out : to continue to the end of a difficult or unpleasant situation.
Trailer : (noun) a series of extracts from a film or broadcast, used for advance
publicity.
Do someone a favor : to do something for someone as an act of kindness.
Pour money down the drain : to waste money; to throw money away.
With pleasure : gladly (used to express polite agreement or acceptance).
Exercise;
Fill in the gaps with the appropriate expressions;
rubbish put up with prank
not one’s cup of tea stick it out trailer
do someone a favor pour money down the drain
with pleasure
a. He hates the job but he has to................because he needs the money.
b. A. Take these guys to jail right away. B. ………………..
c. I saw a..............for the new series of "Game of Thrones" last night.
d. I thought I'd save some cash buying a second-hand car, but I've
……………… trying to get it working
e. The incident was a......................that went wrong.
f. Only a saint can........................her children.
g. Thank you for the invitation, but long-distance cycling just …………
h. The food at that restaurant is complete ……………...
i. Hey, ……………… and take these bags into the kitchen while I get the
others from the car.

Answers
Set (7) - She’s a
whistleblower Dialogue
Sam : I can’t believe how Clare goes around with Alice.
Kathy : Why is that? What’s wrong with Alice?
Sam : She’s a whistleblower and she rats on others in her department.
Kathy : Then, we have to warn Clare as soon as possible lest she slips up .
Sam : Yeah, the sooner the better .
Kathy : Actually! I’m afraid Clare is the villain of the piece but not the
other way round. Obviously; she is covering up by spreading rumors
about Alice. Sam : You don’t say !

Vocabulary
Go around with : to go places and do things with a particular person.
A whistleblower : a person who tells someone in authority about what is happening.
Rat on : to inform on (someone).
Lest : for fear that.
Slip up : make a careless error.
The sooner the better : right away; the sooner something [referred to] gets done, the better things will be.
You know what : used to indicate that one will say something interesting or surprising.
The villain of the piece : is someone seen as being the cause of trouble.
The other way round : the opposite of what is expected or supposed.
Cover up : to prevent people from discovering mistakes or unpleasant facts.
Spread rumors : to spread unverified information of uncertain origin
You don’t say : used to express amazement or disbelief.
Exercise;
Fill in the gaps with the appropriate expressions;
go around with whistleblower rat on
lest slip up the sooner the better
you know what the villain of the piece you don’t
say the other way round cover up spread
rumors
a. He tried to...................his mistakes but in vain.
b. When you oil your beard, don't oil it too much,............it soil your clothing.
c. If he is indeed ……………., as the police claim he is, he should have been
more carefully watched.
d. He......................some of the local lads.
e. The.................was fired for exposing the conditions in mental hospitals.
f. Some people even …….….. and fabricated stories with ulterior political
motives.
g. Wow, it looks like the accountants must have really...................this time.
h. A; “She ran off with another man." B; "......................!"
i. Sometimes I cook and she does the dishes and sometimes it is ……….
j. The kidnapper is a man we must catch and ………………….
k.......................! I’ve got a feeling that she won’t show up.
l. The criminal.....................his accomplices to avoid jail time.
Answers
Set (8) - All I need is a bit more leeway
Dialogue
Sam : I’m racking my brains to find a way to get the work done before
noon. Kathy : I will give you a hand . I didn’t know you were hard up .
Sam : Honestly; I’ve had enough of this job and I’m doing my best to get a
better one so that I can stand on my feet .
Kathy : You mean you are going to change you line of work !
Sam : No, not at all. All I need is a bit more leeway . I just feel that I’m
boxed-in inside this office. I need some space and a change of air .
Kathy: Go for it !

Vocabulary
Rack ones brains : to make a great effort to think of or remember something.
Give someone a hand : to help, aid, or assist.
Hard up : (adj.) in desperate need of something.
Have enough of (something/ someone) : used when somebody/something is
annoying you and you no longer want to do, have or see them/it.
Do one’s best : to do all one can.
Stand on one’s feet : to be financially independent or physically healthy again.
Line of work : the principal activity in your life that you do to earn money.
Leeway : the amount of freedom to move or act that is available.
Boxed-in : to be restricted or feeling stuck due to one's limited options.
A change of air : a different climate, as a means of improving one's health.
Go for it : Go ahead! Give it a good try!
Exercise;
Fill in the gaps with the appropriate expressions;

rack ones brains give someone a hand hard up

have enough of do one’s best stand on one’s
feet line of work leeway boxed-in
a change of air go for it
a. My.......................is entirely unrelated to politics.
b. To the sick the doctors wisely recommend.......................and scenery.
c. She is always..................because she doesn't lay out her money wisely.
d. A ; "I'm thinking of applying for that job." B ; ".........................!"
e. She'll have to get a job and learn to............................sooner or later.
f. I've been..........................trying to recall where we put the key.
g. We have a little ………… to make up here and there in efficiency, but we
are more or less all right.
h. Please ……… all our dedicated volunteers............for their hard work.
i. Clare moved to the countryside because she felt ……………
j. My father always........................to meet our needs.
k. It’s time to get rid of this piece of junk. I’ve....................................It.
Answers
Set (9) - Determination pays
off Dialogue
Bill : Sally is dropping out of school. She’s getting married in two weeks.
Mike : She’s a nitwit if she thinks that marriage is a picnic . That’s no joke .
Bill : But, her husband is a business tycoon . He’s going to back her up for
good .
Mike : Well, I have to change my mind . It makes sense to take shortcuts to
success in this tough and rough world.
Bill : I remember when she said that she would make her dreams come true
one way or another.
Mike : I must admit that determination pays off !

Vocabulary
Drop out of : to abandon a course of study.
Nitwit : (adj) idiot.
A picnic : a pleasant and easy activity.
No joke : a difficult or serious matter:
Tycoon : a wealthy, powerful person in business or industry.
Back someone up : to support
For good : permanently; forever.
Change one’s mind : to adopt a different opinion or plan.
Make sense : be intelligible, justifiable, or practicable.
Take shortcuts : a method or means of doing something more directly and
quickly than and often not so thoroughly as by ordinary procedure.
One way or another : in any way that is possible
Pay off : to yield good results; succeed.
Exercise;
Fill in the gaps with the appropriate expressions ;
drop out of nitwit picnic no joke
tycoon back someone up for good
change one’s mind make sense take shortcuts
one way or another pay off
a. I never liked mushrooms before, but you really.......................with this dish.
b. It's.........................when your brakes fail on the motorway.
c. I have hopes that my perseverance will.......................one day.
d. After she found out about his latest relapse with drugs, she decided it was
best to leave him ……………………
e. Early pacemakers often............................a race before the finish.
f. After all, he became a …..…… as well as a doctor; he must be rolling in
money.
g. I've tried asking him but his explanations aren't …………………….
h. That job was no...............They gave us a hard time indeed.
i. Don't be a........................wear a seat belt!
j. We'll get out of this mess ………………………….
k. Mistakes were made because too many ……….. were ……………..
l. My family.............................in my fight for compensation.
Answers
Set (10) - They must be bugging
us! Dialogue
Emily : Enough already (1)! I heard you the first time!
Julie : Fair enough ! If I were in your shoes , I would also be out of my
mind.
Emily : How on earth do you give away (1) such secrets about our business?
Julie : Believe it or not . Someone else, other than me and you, has already
(2) informed them about our plans.
Emily : Already ? (3) Who on earth could be that third party ?
Julie : They must be bug ging us or else how will they figure out that we are
giving away (2) free samples?

Vocabulary
Already (1): used as an intensifier to express exasperation or impatience.
Fair enough : used to admit that something is reasonable or acceptable.
In one’s shoes : in someone’s else place or situation.
Out of one’s mind : to be crazy and irrational.
On earth : used after question words to emphasize that you are surprised or annoyed.
Give away (1): to tell information or facts that you should keep secret.
Believe it or not : this is surprising but true (Used to introduce a surprising
fact)
Other than: apart from; except.
Already (2): previously
Already (3): so soon.
Third party : a third person other than the two involved.
Bug : to place or hide a listening device inside something.
Or else : used to say what will happen if another thing does not happen
Give away (2): give people stuff without pay.
Exercise;
Fill in the gaps with the appropriate expressions;

already (impatience) fair enough in one’s shoes

out of one’s mind on earth give away (inform)
believe it or not other than already (previously)
already (so soon) third party bug
or else give away (donate)

a. The sharing of information with the..........................is required.

b. A. "Unless you finish your homework you can’t to go outside." B. ".........” .
c. What’s the matter? Are you quitting...................?
d. Make sure you aren’t........................while talking to them.
e. Holidays ………….. those in this brochure do not have free places for
children.
f. Make sure you are strapped in very well,....................you will fall out.
g. My head is spinning. Be quiet.......................!
h................................., I ended up painting the house myself.
i. He decided to........................everything he possessed to charities.
j. Don’t........................the content of this session, please.
k . Never mind me! I’ve......................had plenty of cookies.
l. If I were............................, I'd probably want an explanation.
m. I must have been......................when I agreed to join them!
n. Who...................is Mike? Is he the owner?
Answers

Answers
Set (1)
a. pathetic b. count on c. how come d. hoax e. turned out
f. swallow the bait g. get rid of h. keep his nose clean i. barked up the wrong
tree.
Set (2)
a. skip it b. a taste of his own medicine c. treated/to d. No wonder
e. let bygones be bygones f. played a trick on g. the talk of the town
h. spill the beans i. let down
Set (3 )
a. feel like two cents b. splurge c. born with silver spoons in their mouths
d. loaded e. a drop in the ocean f. live within his means
g. came down to earth h. broke
Set (4 )
a. Get out of here b. shop around c. sky-high d. around the corner
e. are fed up with f. cut corners g. makes/ excuses
h. make both ends meet i. give/ solace
Set (5 )
a. You're kidding b. put a stop to c. new due date d. take time off
e. after all f. do without g. turned/down h. down in the dumps
i. cracking the whip j. on the pretext of k. hit the ceiling l. step in m. foil/ plan
Set (6 )
a. stick it out b. with pleasure c. trailer d. poured so much money down the
drain
e. prank f. put up with g. isn't really my cup of tea. h. rubbish i. do me a favor
Set (7 )
a. cover up b. lest c. the villain of the piece d. goes around with
e. whistleblower f. spread rumors g. slipped up h. You don't say
i. the other way round j. the sooner the better k. You know what l. ratted on
Set (8 )
a. line of work b. a change of air c. hard up d. Go for it
e. stand on her own two feet f. racking my brain g. leeway h. give/ a hand
i. boxed-in j. did his best k. had enough of
Set ( 9)
a. changed my mind b. no joke c. pay off d. for good. e. drop out of
f. tycoon g. making any sense h. picnic i. nitwit j. one way or another
k. shortcuts/taken l. backed me up
Set (10 )
a. third party b. fair enough c. already d. bugged e. other than
f. or else g. already h. Believe it or not i. give away j. give away
k. already l. in her shoes m. out of my mind n. on earth