Idioms and colloquialisms 2

Exercise 1
Complete these dialogs with an appropriate expression from
the box.

1. A. Would you look after my bag while I go to the rest

room?
I'd be glad to.
B. Sure. ………………..
2. . A. Do you mind if I sit here?
Be my guest.
B. Not at all. ………………..
3. . A. How did you know it was my birthday today?
A little bird told me.
B. Aha! ………………..
4. . A. I’d be really grateful if you didn’t tell anyone about
my little secret.
B.My lips are scaled. I won’t breathe a word.
………………....
5. . A. Do you think you’ll pass the exam?
I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
B. I don’t know. ………………..
6. . A. I’ve signed up for extra Sociology classes with
Professor Dullman.
B.Rathet
……………...…..
you than me.He’s so boring!

7. . A. I’ve got some really interesting news. Do you want to

hear it?
B. Yes. Fire away. I'm all ears.
………………..
8. . A. You don’t want to work tonight? OK, let’s go to the
theater instead.
Now you're talking!
B. Great! ………………..
 9. . A. I thought you were going to apply for a place on the
Theory of Knowledge course.
I'm having second thoughts
B. Well, I was. ………………..
10. A. I promise to work harder from now on.
That'll be the day!
B. Yeah, right! ………………..
11. A. I hear that you’re going to throw a surprise party for
my birthday.
B. Who let the car out of the bag?
………………..................... It’s supposed to be a secret.
12. A. I’ve just eaten six hot dogs, and now I’ve got a terrible
stomach ache.
B.That'll teach you! You won’t do that again in a hurry.
………………..
Exercise 2
Instructions as above.

1. . A. I can’t afford to go to the concert tonight.

This is on me.
B. I wasn’t expecting you to pay. ………………..
2. . A. I’ve managed to get a place on the Advanced Studies
program.
B.Congratulations.
……………….. That’s quite an achievement.
3. . A. Would you like to come to Gino’s tonight for dinner?
I'd love to.
B. ……………….. What time?
4. . A. Thank you very much for all your help.
You're welcome.
B. Not at all. ………………..
5. . A. Oh wow! What a great room. It’s wonderful.
Make yourself at home.
B. Thanks. ………………..
6. . A. Hurry up, or we’ll miss the start of the movie.
 Hold on.
B. ……………….. I’m not ready yet.
7. . A. It’s been nice seeing you again. Let’s get together
again soon.
B. Yes, definitely. Take care and keep in touch.
………………..
8. . A. Hi, Tom. How are you?
B. Oh, great. Couldn't
……………….. be better.

9. . A. Do you mind if I smoke in here?

B. I'd rather you didn't. Anyway, smoking’s banned on
………………........
campus.
10. A. I didn’t do too well in the end of semester exams.
That's too bad.
B. Oh, bad luck. ………………..
11. A. Have you ever heard of the Darwin Awards?
It doesn't ringue any bells.
B. I don’t think so. ………………..
12. A. Do you think you’ll do well in tomorrow’s test?
Yes, knock on wood. I’ve done plenty of revision.
B. ………………..
Exercise 3
Instructions as above.

1. . A. I’m about halfway through my essay.

How's it going?
B. Oh good. ………………..
2. . A. I thought the lecture on the Declaration of
Independence was great. Did you enjoy it?
I'll say.
B. ……………….. It was fascinating.
3. . A. Snake is considered a delicacy in some countries.
Would you ever consider eating it?
Not on your life!
B. Oh yuck! ………………..
 4. . A. Professor de Gruchy has extended the deadline for
our essays to Thursday.
B.That's a load off my mind. I have so much to do.
………………..............
5. . A. Look, I just found the question paper for tomorrow’s
test lying on the floor!
B.Well, keep it for yourself It can be our secret.
………………...........
6. . A. Could you give me a bit of help with this assignment?
Sure thing What’s the problem?
B. ………………..
7. . A. Can I come in?
Take a seat.
B. Of course. ………………..
8. . A. I’ve got so much to do by Monday; two essays to
write, a presentation to prepare, and I have to do some
research on the history of the UN.
B. That’s a lot of work. ………………..
Don't kill yourself.

9. . A. I’m so depressed. That’s the third time I’ve failed my

driving test.
B. Never mind. It's
……………….............
the end of the world. Better luck next time.

10. A. I’m off to Niagara Falls for the weekend. See you
Monday.
B. Sure. Have
………………..
a good time.

11. A. I forgot my boyfriend’s birthday last week.

So I guess you're in the doghouse again.
B. Oh dear. ………………..
12. A. Aaachoooooooo!
B. ………………..
Gesundheit Have you got a cold?
10 I’m afraid your request is out of the answer / statement /
question . (not possible, unacceptable)
11 He gave us some information that was strictly off the
books / record / list . (unofficial, to be kept secret)
12 We don’t want to lose land / ground / place in the
baseball competition. (becomes less successful than the
others)
13 Let’s have a party at the beginning of the year. It will help
to break the ice / mold / air . (to make people feel more
friendly and willing to talk to each other)
14 Everybody should say exactly how they feel. That should
clear the room / air / feelings . (to help end an argument
or disagreement)
15 It’s very rude to talk shop / work / jobs when you’re out
with other people. (to discuss your job with a colleague,
usually in a social situation where there are others
present)
16 Don’t let him stop you; stand your land / place / ground
and tell him you won’t change your mind. (refuse to
change your mind about something, even when people
oppose you)
17 I only just passed my exam. It was a very far / close /
exact thing. (something almost did or didn’t happen)
18 What’s happened? Put me in the picture / story / scene .
(to let somebody know what has happened, usually when
other people already know)
Exercise 2
Now do the same with these:
1. You’ve really made a name / title / place for yourself,
haven’t you? (to become well known, famous and / or
respected)
2. Have you seen his house? It’s out of this planet / earth /
world . (extremely good, wonderful, etc.)
 Idioms and colloquialisms 3
Exercise 1 Connect the first part of each sentence in the first
box with the
second half in the second box. Use the phrases in bold to help
you make the connection. Now do the same with these.

1. The project was more or…

2. I just need to complete this essay, and then my
coursework will be over once and…
3. His lectures are generally really dull, but once in…
4. . I’ve never been too…
5. There are parts of the course which are a bit boring,
but on the…
6. Don’t try to do everything at once. Try to do things
step by…
7. There’s a chance that sooner or…
8. . When you first start a new job, it can take a while to
learn the…
9. I know you have a lot of work, but look on the
bright…
10. . The President can’t be in his right…
11. You shouldn’t go over his…
12. You’re kidding. You’re pulling my…

A…4 . big on science; I’ve always preferred the arts.

B…9 . side; at least you won’t get bored this weekend!
C…6 .step until you’ve finished.
3
D… . a while there’s something of interest.
 E…1 .less complete when someone pointed out they had
missed some details.
11
F… .head and make your own decisions.
8
G… .ropes and become familiar with the way things
work.
12 .leg. Right?
H…
I…7 .later people will demand some real changes.
.J 2…for all. It’ll be a real relief.
10
K… .mind, making a stupid decision like that.
L…5 .whole it’s really good.

Exercise 2

1. . It can be difficult to make ends…

2. . Try to make the most of your…
3. . I asked Ron to get the computer fixed, and he
promised to take…
4. . I understand the theory, but I get mixed…
5. . Don’t worry about the exam. Just give it…
6. . I’m not sure whether to take a vacation this summer.
I’ll decide one way or…
7. . I wasn’t sure whether to apply for a PhD course, but
in the end I decided to go…
8. . I got a distinction for my first assignment of the year.
That’s a good…
9. . For years he was ignored, then all at…
10. . Many people believe that it’s about…
11. . I’ve changed…
12. . He had some excellent plans, but they never really
got off…
 7
A. …for it and see what happens.
B. 12
…the ground.
2
C. …time when you’re in New York.
8
D. …start, isn’t it?
5
E. …all you’ve got and hope for the best.
9
F. …once, people began paying attention to what he had
to say.
G. 10
…time more money was invested in education.
H. 11
…my mind about attending Professor Clayton’s
course.
4
I. …up when I try to describe it on paper.
6
J. …the other when I see my exam results.
3
K. …care of it at the earliest opportunity.
1
L. …meet when you’re a student on a limited budget.
 Idioms and colloquialisms 4
Exercise 1 Choose the correct underlined word to complete
each of the
idioms in bold. The meaning of each idiom is in italics after
the sentence.
1. You shouldn’t try to burn the match / lighter / candle at
both ends; you’ll exhaust yourself. (to get up early in the
morning and go to bed late at night on a regular basis)
2. Once he started looking into the details, he realized what
a can of worms / beans / beer they were opening. (a
difficult and complicated situation)
3. It was a difficult decision, but he decided to take the goat
/ cow / bull by the horns and tell his boss that he wanted
to leave the company. (to deal bravely or confidently with
a difficult situation)
4. Some insurance companies make their customers pay
through the ears / nose / mouth for their services. (pay a
lot of money)
5. He knew that what they were doing was wrong, but
turned a blind / closed / cold eye to it. (to pretend not to
notice, to ignore)
6. Many people like to get off the beaten road / path /
track when they take a vacation. (somewhere quiet, where
not a lot of people go)
7. If you’re pressed / crushed / squeezed for time, we can
talk later. (busy, in a hurry)
8. I’ve been feeling a bit under the thumb / weather / table
recently, but I’m feeling better now. (slightly ill)
9. He’s a rather boring person, but once in a blue / red /
green moon, he’ll come out with something really
amazing. (very rarely)
 3. He knew I was friendly with his boss, and asked me to
pull a few legs / strings / ropes for him. (to use your
influence with somebody in order to get something)
4. Donna played / did / went hooky again today; that’s the
third lecture she’s missed this week. (to miss a lesson,
class, etc., for no good reason)
5. My bank account’s in the black / red / pink again. (to
owe money to the bank because you’ve spent too much)
6. I’ve completed three out of my five assignments already.
So far, so good / fine / acceptable . (until now, everything
is going well)
7. I’m really angry with Jerry. It’s time I had it in / out /
over with him. (to tell somebody you are angry with them,
and explain why)
8. His theories broke fresh earth / ground / land and
changed the way people thought about science. (to do
something original or innovative)
9. He said that he had missed his lecture because he had to
visit a sick relative, but I don’t really think he was on the
air/ ground / level . (being honest and telling the truth)
10 It wasn’t my fault! Why am I always the one to carry the
can / tin / box ? (being the person who is considered
responsible for something that has gone wrong)
11 University life can seem strange at first, but my advice is
to go with the snow / flow / glow and see what happens.
(to do what seems the easiest thing in a particular
situation)
12 I thought my last essay was really good, so old Professor
Clack really rained on my show / carnival / parade
when he told me he thought it was terrible. (to spoil
something or make it much less enjoyable)
13 The Dean has told me that unless I turn over a new leaf /
book / paper , I might be asked to leave the course. (to
 change your life by starting to be a better person or
stopping a bad habit)
14 There are some good restaurants nearby that won’t
bankrupt / break / rob the bank. (not expensive)
15 I can’t talk to you now, I’m afraid. I’m running / walking
/ jumping a bit late. (to be slightly later than normal)
16 He can be a bit unfriendly, but by and big / large / huge
he’s OK. (generally)
17 All right, everyone. We’ve achieved a lot in the last hour
or so. Let’s take three / four / five . (to have a short
break)
18 I don’t know exactly what he’s up to, but my fifth / sixth /
seventh sense tells me he trying to get out of doing his
assignment. (a special ability to feel things that you
cannot see, hear, touch, smell, or taste)