ENGLISH IDIOMS & PHRASAL VERBS

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IDIOMS & PHRASAL VERBS - CAE & CPE LEVEL
Part 1: Multiple Choice (100 questions)
Choose the correct option (A, B, C, or D) to complete each sentence.
1. When the CEO resigned, the entire company was left __________.
A. in the lurch B. in the dumps C. in the clouds D. in the air
Jane always manages to __________ trouble, no matter how hard she tries to avoid it.
A. get away with B. get rid of C. get out of D. get into
The new manager decided to __________ the outdated company policies.
A. do away with B. do up C. do over D. do out
I can’t believe you let him __________ you like that. You should have stood up for yourself!
A. walk over B. run after C. look into D. fall for
Despite the difficulties, she managed to pull __________ and achieve her goals.
A. through B. up C. off D. over
He promised to let me in on the secret, but he backed __________ at the last minute.
A. out B. up C. down D. off
Part 2: Fill in the Blanks (100 questions)
Complete each sentence with the correct idiom or phrasal verb.
1. After weeks of negotiation, they finally saw __________ and reached an agreement.
2. She was absolutely exhausted after burning __________ at both ends with work and study.
3. He tried to keep his plans secret, but his face always __________ him away.
4. Despite his efforts, he had to __________ up and admit his mistake.
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Idioms & Phrasal Verbs Exercises
1. Idiom: Bite the bullet
o a. Accept criticism b. Show gratitude
o c. Endure a difficult situation d. Make a decision
2. Phrasal Verb: Put up with
o a. Support financially b. Tolerate c. Install d. Postpone
100. Phrasal Verb: Make up for
 a. Apologize b. Compensate c. Create d. Rearrange

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III
Part 1: Multiple Choice (A, B, C, D)
1. She decided to ______ her new job offer and stay with her current company.
A. turn down B. turn up C. turn over D. turn off
2. After hours of negotiation, they finally ______ an agreement.
A. came up with B. came across C. came into D. came around to
3. He always ______ his responsibilities, which is why he’s so reliable.
A. lives up to B. lives on C. lives off D. lives through
4. The company had to ______ the project due to lack of funding.
A. call off B. call out C. call for D. call in
5. She ______ her mother in terms of personality and looks.
A. takes after B. takes up C. takes over D. takes in
6. The meeting was ______ until next week.
A. put off B. put out C. put down D. put through
7. He ______ his success to hard work and determination.
A. puts down B. puts up C. puts across D. puts forward
8. The new policy has ______ a lot of controversy.
A. sparked off B. sparked up C. sparked out D. sparked over
9. They ______ the old building to make way for a new shopping mall.
A. pulled down B. pulled out C. pulled up D. pulled through
10. She ______ her fear of public speaking and delivered a great presentation.
A. got over B. got through C. got away D. got off
Part 2: Filling blanks
1. After months of hard work, she finally ______ her dream of becoming a published author.
2. He ______ his boss’s temper and decided to avoid the topic.
3. The company ______ a new strategy to increase sales.
4. She ______ her grandmother’s wedding dress for her own wedding.
5. The team ______ the challenge and completed the project on time.
6. He ______ his savings to start his own business.
7. The politician ______ the allegations and refused to comment.
8. She ______ her frustration by going for a long run.
9. The teacher ______ the importance of punctuality to the students.
10. They ______ the old traditions and introduced modern practices.

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Part 3: Multiple Choice (A, B, C, D) (cont.)
11. The manager ______ the team’s efforts and praised them for their hard work.
A. played down B. played up C. played along D. played out
12. She ______ her frustration by writing in her journal every night.
A. worked out B. worked off C. worked up D. worked through
13. The company ______ a new product line to attract younger customers.
A. rolled out B. rolled over C. rolled up D. rolled in
14. He ______ his colleagues by always arriving late to meetings.
A. rubbed off on B. rubbed out C. rubbed up the wrong way D. rubbed down
15. The government ______ the new policy after public backlash.
A. backed down B. backed up C. backed out D. backed into
16. She ______ her childhood memories while cleaning out the attic.
A. stumbled upon B. stumbled over C. stumbled into D. stumbled through
17. The team ______ the final obstacle and completed the project successfully.
A. got over B. got through C. got around D. got by
18. He ______ his fear of heights by climbing a mountain.
A. faced up to B. faced off C. faced out D. faced down
19. The company ______ its profits by cutting unnecessary expenses.
A. boosted B. boosted up C. boosted over D. boosted through
20. She ______ her friend’s advice and decided to take the job.
A. acted on B. acted out C. acted up D. acted over
Part 4: Filling blanks (cont.)
11. He ______ his anger and responded calmly to the criticism.
12. The team ______ the problem and found a solution within hours.
13. She ______ her fear of flying by taking a short trip.
14. The company ______ its employees with bonuses for their hard work.
15. He ______ his old habits and started living a healthier lifestyle.
16. The politician ______ the scandal and resigned from his position.
17. She ______ her disappointment and congratulated the winner.
18. The teacher ______ the students’ curiosity by introducing a fascinating topic.
19. They ______ the old traditions and embraced modern values.
20. He ______ his success to his supportive family and mentors.

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Part 5: Advanced Idioms (Multiple Choice)
21. When she heard the news, she was ______.
A. over the moon B. under the weather C. on the ball D. in the red
22. After the argument, he decided to ______ and apologize.
A. bite the bullet B. break the ice
C. hit the nail on the head D. let the cat out of the bag
23. The project was ______, but they managed to finish it on time.
A. a piece of cake B. a blessing in disguise C. a uphill battle D. a drop in the ocean
24. She’s always ______, which is why she’s so successful.
A. on the ball B. in hot water C. over the hill D. under the radar
25. He ______ when he realized he had forgotten his passport.
A. hit the roof B. broke the ice C. spilled the beans D. burned the midnight oil
26. The new policy is just ______; it won’t solve the real problem.
A. the tip of the iceberg B. a drop in the ocean
C. the last straw D. a blessing in disguise
27. She ______ when she saw her favorite band perform live.
A. was on cloud nine B. was in the same boat
C. was over the hill D. was under the weather
28. He ______ by working late every night to meet the deadline.
A. burned the midnight oil B. hit the nail on the head
C. let the cat out of the bag D. broke the ice
29. The company’s profits are ______ due to the economic crisis.
A. in the red B. over the moon C. on the ball D. under the weather
30. She ______ when she realized she had won the competition.
A. was over the moon B. was in hot water
C. was on the ball D. was under the radar
Part 6: Filling blanks (Idioms)
21. He was ______ when he heard he got the promotion. (moon)
22. The new policy is just ______; it won’t make a significant difference. (ocean)
23. She ______ when she realized she had forgotten her keys. (roof)
24. After weeks of hard work, they finally ______ and completed the project. (head)
25. He ______ by working late every night to finish the report. (oil)
26. The team was ______ after winning the championship. (nine)

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27. She ______ when she saw her favorite actor in person. (moon)
28. The company is ______ due to poor financial management. (red)
29. He ______ when he realized he had made a huge mistake. (water)
30. The new employee is always ______ and completes tasks efficiently. (ball)
IV
Part 1: 100 Multiple Choice
1. She ____ her hopes on winning the lottery.
o A. pinned B. set C. placed D. laid
2. The company is ____ a new marketing strategy.
o A. bringing about B. rolling out C. carrying out D. putting forward
3. He's always ____ other people's ideas as his own.
o A. taking over B. passing off C. bringing in D. putting down
4. The project ____ due to lack of funding.
o A. fell through B. came about C. went ahead D. took off
5. I can't ____ with his constant complaining.
o A. put up B. get by C. make out D. take to
6. She ____ a lot of criticism for her controversial remarks.
o A. came in for B. got down to C. went down with D. took up with
7. The new policy is expected to ____ significant changes.
o A. bring about B. carry out C. put forward D. take over
8. He's been ____ a lot of pressure at work lately.
o A. coming up against B. going through C. putting up with D. taking on
9. The negotiations ____ after hours of discussions.
o A. broke down B. came about C. went ahead D. took off
10. The company is trying to ____ its market share.
o A. build up B. bring about C. carry out D. put forward
11. It is hard to believe that this movie costed so little to make, it really ____
o A. punched above its weight. B. had a weight off its shoulders
o C. has a lot of weight on it D. added weigh to the fire.
12. I've been working too hard lately, and I'm starting to feel the ____.
o A. burnout B. break down. C. downfall D. feedback.
13. He's always trying to ____ his responsibilities.

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o A. shy away from B. step up to C. take on D. work through.
14. The company is ____ a new line of products.
o A. bringing about B. rolling out C. carrying out D. putting forward.
15. She's very good at ____ difficult situations.
o A. dealing with B. putting up with C. getting by with D. taking to.
16. The project is ____ schedule.
o A. ahead of B. behind C. on D. out of
17. I'm not sure if I can ____ with the demands of this job.
o A. keep up B. catch up C. make up D. take up
18. The company is looking to ____ its operations.
o A. expand B. reduce C. maintain D. eliminate
19. He's always ____ his achievements.
o A. showing off B. playing down C. brushing aside D. playing up
20. The new law is expected to ____ a lot of controversy.
o A. generate B. resolve C. avoid D. prevent.
21. After the accident, he had to ____ his life.
o A. piece together B. fall apart C. break down D. come undone
22. She's always ____ her own horn.
o A. blowing B. tooting C. trumpeting D. honking
23. The company is planning to ____ a new marketing campaign.
o A. launch B. cancel C. postpone D. delay
24. He's always ____ his promises.
o A. going back on B. keeping up with C. living up to D. sticking to
25. The project is ____ track.
o A. on B. off C. behind D. ahead
26. I'm not sure if I can ____ with the workload.
o A. cope B. deal C. handle D. manage
27. The company is looking to ____ its workforce.
o A. expand B. reduce C. maintain D. eliminate
28. He's always ____ his mistakes.
o A. brushing aside B. owning up to C. playing down D. making up for
29. The new policy is expected to ____ a lot of resistance.

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o A. encounter B. overcome C. avoid D. prevent.
30. The scandal caused the politician to ____ grace.
o A. fall from B. rise to C. stay in D. come into
31. She's always ____ about her achievements.
o A. modest B. boastful C. humble D. understated
32. The company is planning to ____ a new research project.
o A. initiate B. terminate C. postpone D. delay.
33. He's always ____ his words.
o A. sticking to B. going back on C. keeping up with D. living up to
34. The project is ____ schedule.
o A. ahead of B. behind C. on D. out of
35. I'm not sure if I can ____ with the pace of change.
o A. keep up B. catch up C. make up D. take up
36. The company is looking to ____ its customer base.
o A. expand B. reduce C. maintain D. eliminate.
37. He's always ____ his responsibilities.
o A. shirking B. taking on C. shouldering D. upholding
38. The new law is expected to ____ a lot of criticism.
o A. generate B. perform C. create D. produce
39. She tends to ____ her feelings when she's upset.
 A. bottle up B. let out C. act on D. play down
40. The company decided to ____ its expansion plans due to the economic downturn.
 A. scale back B. press ahead C. bring forward D. step up
41. He's always ____ for the underdog.
 A. rooting B. opting C. calling D. making
42. The politician was forced to ____ after the scandal broke.
 A. step down B. stand up C. come forward D. carry on
43. The team managed to ____ a victory despite the difficult circumstances.
 A. scrape together B. pull off C. bring about D. throw away
44. She has a tendency to ____ her problems.
 A. gloss over B. delve into C. face up to D. dwell on
45. The new technology is expected to ____ the way we communicate.

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 A. revolutionise B. maintain C. preserve D. continue
46. He's always ____ new ideas.
 A. coming up with B. putting down C. taking over D. passing off
47. The project is ____ completion.
 A. nearing B. delaying C. avoiding D. preventing
48. I need to ____ my French before my trip to Paris.
 A. brush up on B. get by with C. make out D. take to
49. The company is trying to ____ its environmental impact.
 A. minimize B. maximise C. maintain D. increase
50. He's always ____ his mistakes.
o A. making light of B. owning up to C. brushing aside D. playing down
51. The new policy is expected to ____ a lot of debate.
o A. spark B. resolve C. avoid D. prevent
52. The athlete's career ____ after the injury.
o A. took a nosedive B. reached its peak
o C. maintained its level D. experienced a surge
53. She's always ____ her own interests.
o A. looking out for B. ignoring C. neglecting D. overlooking
54. The company is planning to ____ a new training program.
o A. implement B. cancel C. postpone D. delay
55. He's always ____ his commitments.
o A. reneging on B. keeping up with C. living up to D. sticking to
56. The project is ____ schedule.
o A. running behind B. running ahead C. running on D. running out of
57. I'm not sure if I can ____ the emotional strain.
o A. endure B. cope C. handle D. manage
58. The company is looking to ____ its research capabilities.
o A. strengthen B. weaken C. maintain D. limit
59. He's always ____ his colleagues.
o A. putting down B. lifting up C. passing over D. taking on
60. The new law is expected to ____ a lot of controversy.
o A. give rise to B. put an end to C. keep away from D. stay clear of

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61. The negotiation between the union and the company went down to the ____
o A. wire B. road C. stream D. line.
62. She is really ____ when it come to dealing with angry customers, she is a natural.
o A. gifted B. cut out C. made for D. natural
63. Even though it was a long journey, the kids were really well ____
o A. acted B. behaved C. conducted D. formed
64. This type of weather is usually a ____ for a lot of people getting sick.
o A. reason B. trigger C. motive D. calling
65. He tends to ____ himself in his work.
o A. give B. provide C. lose D. immerse.
66. The manager had to ____ the discussion when it started to get too heated.
o A. intervene B. interfere C. interact D. interrupt
67. Most doctors will tell you that prevention is better than ____
o A. healthcare B. curing C. treatment D. medicine
68. When he started talking about his ex-wife, she felt really ____
o A. put upon B. put out C. put down D. put in
69. This is the type of work that will ____ you to your limit.
o A. push B. bring C. take D. give.
70. I believe that it is not wise to ____ money from friends.
o A. lend B. loan C. borrow D. owe
71. The manager decided to ____ the meeting due to some unforeseen circumstances.
o A. call off B. call in C. call for D. call out
72. Even though he had been working there for a long time, he still had to ____ the rules.
o A. abide by B. abide with C. abide to D. abide in
73. I did not like the way that he tried to ____ his opinion on the rest of the group.
o A. force B. enforce C. force with D. enforce with
74. The company tried to ____ the new law, but it was too difficult to do so.
o A. go along B. go with C. comply to D. comply with
75. Most doctors would tell you that it is best to ____ a healthy diet.
o A. keep up B. keep to C. keep on D. keep from
76. The best way to deal with snakes is to ____ them a wide berth.
o A. give B. take C. make D. bring

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77. The two boxers were really ____ each other a lot of verbal abuse before the match.
o A. giving B. throwing C. bringing D. taking.
78. I was really surprised when he offered to ____ the bill, as he is usually quite tight fisted.
o A. put up B. pay up C. cough up D. give up.
79. They are trying to ____ the rules, but it will be very difficult to do so.
o A. enforce B. force C. reinforce D. oblige
80. When I was in trouble, he really ____ and helped me out.
o A. came to the fore B. went to the fore C. bring to the fore D. take to the fore
81. We need to ____ all of the factors before making a decision.
o A. factor in B. factor with C. factor upon D. factor about
82. I like to ____ to some music when I am feeling stressed.
o A. listen up B. listen with C. listen at D. listen to
83. You need to ____ the consequences of your actions.
o A. weigh out B. weigh in C. weigh up D. weigh with
84. We need to ____ some new strategies to deal with this problem.
o A. dream up B. dream with C. dream on D. dream in
85. The company is trying to ____ its image after the scandal.
o A. clean up B. clear up C. polish up D. wipe up
86. I am not sure if I can ____ this project.
o A. pull through B. pull on C. pull in D. pull with
87. The police are trying to ____ the suspect.
o A. track down B. track with C. track on D. track in
88. I am going to ____ my old car and buy a new one.
o A. trade in B. trade with C. trade on D. trade at
89. The company is trying to ____ the competition.
o A. stay ahead of B. stay behind C. stay in D. stay with
90. I am not sure if I can ____ this task.
o A. carry through B. carry with C. carry on D. carry at
91. The company is trying to ____ its costs.
o A. cut down on B. cut down with C. cut down in D. cut down at
92. I am going to ____ my old clothes.
o A. throw away B. throw with C. throw on D. throw at

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93. The company is trying to ____ its profits.
o A. boost up B. boost with C. boost on D. boost in
94. I am going to ____ my old computer.
o A. get rid of B. get rid with C. get rid on D. get rid at
95. The company is trying to ____ its market share.
o A. build up B. build with C. build on D. build at
96. I am going to ____ my old books.
o A. give away B. give with C. give on D. give at
97. The company is trying to ____ its sales.
o A. step up B. step with C. step on D. step at
98. I am going to ____ my old toys.
o A. donate B. donate with C. donate on D. donate at
99. The company is trying to ____ its reputation.
o A. enhance B. enhance with C. enhance on D. enhance at
100. I am going to ____ my old furniture.
 A. dispose of B. dispose with C. dispose on D. dispose at
Part 2: 100 sentences (Fill in the Blanks)
1. She _______________ the opportunity to travel abroad. (jumped …)
2. The project _______________ due to unforeseen circumstances. (fell …)
3. He's always _______________ his own horn. (b…)
4. The company is planning to _______________ a new marketing campaign. (roll …)
5. I need to _______________ my French before my trip to Paris. (brush …)
6. She _______________ her hopes on winning the lottery. (p…)
7. The new policy is expected to _______________ significant changes. (bring …)
8. He's been _______________ a lot of pressure at work lately. (going …)
9. The negotiations _______________ after hours of discussions. (broke …)
10. The company is trying to _______________ its market share. (build …)
11. He decided to _______________ his trip due to the bad weather. (call …)
12. She _______________ a lot of flak for her controversial remarks. (came …)
13. The company is trying to _______________ its operations in Asia. (e…)
14. He's always _______________ other people's ideas as his own. (passing …)
15. I can't _______________ with his constant complaining. (put …)

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16. The project is _______________ schedule. (ahead …)
17. She has a talent to _______________ very good deals when she is shopping. (sniff …)
18. The company is planning to _______________ a new training program. (i…)
19. He's always _______________ his promises. (going …)
20. The project is _______________ track. (o…)
21. I'm not sure if I can _______________ with the workload. (c…)
22. The company is looking to _______________ its workforce. (r…)
23. He's always _______________ his mistakes. (owning …)
24. The new policy is expected to _______________ a lot of resistance. (e…)
25. The scandal caused the politician to _______________ grace. (fall …)
26. She's always _______________ about her achievements. (m…)
27. The company is planning to _______________ a new research project. (i…)
28. He's always _______________ his words. (sticking …)
29. The project is _______________ schedule. (b…)
30. I'm not sure if I can _______________ with the pace of change. (keep …)
31. The company is looking to _______________ its customer base. (e…)
32. He's always _______________ his responsibilities. (s…)
33. She tends to _______________ her feelings when she's upset. (bottle …)
34. The company decided to _______________ its expansion plans due to the economic
downturn. (scale …)
35. He's always _______________ for the underdog. (r…)
36. The politician was forced to _______________ after the scandal broke. (step …)
37. The team managed to _______________ a victory despite the difficult circumstances. (pull
…)
38. She has a tendency to _______________ her problems. (gloss …)
39. The new technology is expected to _______________ the way we communicate. (r…)
40. He's always _______________ new ideas. (coming …)
41. The project is _______________ completion. (n…)
42. I need to _______________ my French before my trip to Paris. (brush …)
43. The company is trying to _______________ its environmental impact. (m…)
44. He's always _______________ his mistakes. (making …)
45. The new policy is expected to _______________ a lot of debate. (s…)
46. The athlete's career _______________ after the injury. (took …)

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47. She's always _______________ her own interests. (looking …)
48. The company is planning to _______________ a new training program. (i…)
49. He's always _______________ his commitments. (reneging …)
50. The project is _______________ schedule. (running …)
51. I'm not sure if I can _______________ the emotional strain. (e…)
52. The company is looking to _______________ its research capabilities. (s…)
53. He's always _______________ his colleagues. (putting …)
54. The new law is expected to _______________ a lot of controversy. (give …)
55. The negotiation between the union and the company went down to the _______________.
(w…)
56. She is really _______________ when it come to dealing with angry customers, she is a
natural. (cut …)
57. Even though it was a long journey, the kids were really well _______________. (b…)
58. This type of weather is usualy a _______________ for a lot of people getting sick. (t…)
59. He tends to _______________ himself in his work. (i…)
60. The manager had to _______________ the discussion when it started to get too heated.
(i…)
61. Most doctors will tell you that prevention is better than _______________. (c…)
62. When he started talking about his ex-wife, she felt really _______________. (put …)
63. This is the type of work that will _______________ you to your limit. (p…)
64. I believe that it is not wise to _______________ money from friends. (b…)
65. The manager decided to _______________ the meeting due to some unforeseen
circumstances. (call …)
66. Even though he had been working there for a long time, he still had to _______________
the rules. (abide …)
67. I did not like the way that he tried to _______________ his opinion on the rest of the group.
(f…)
68. The company tried to _______________ the new law, but it was too difficult to do so.
(comply …)
69. Most doctors would tell you that it is best to _______________ a healthy diet. (keep …)
70. The best way to deal with snakes is to _______________ them a wide berth. (g…)
71. The two boxers were really _______________ each other a lot of verbal abuse before the
match. (t…)

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72. I was really surprised when he offered to _______________ the bill, as he is usually quite
tight fisted. (cough …)
73. They are trying to _______________ the rules, but it will be very difficult to do so. (e…)
74. When I was in trouble, he really _______________ and helped me out. (came …)
75. We need to _______________ all of the factors before making a decision. (factor …)
76. I like to _______________ to some music when I am feeling stressed. (listen …)
77. You need to _______________ the consequences of your actions. (weigh …)
78. We need to _______________ some new strategies to deal with this problem. (dream …)
79. The company is trying to _______________ its image after the scandal. (clean …)
80. I am not sure if I can _______________ this project. (pull …)
81. The police are trying to _______________ the suspect. (track …)
82. I am going to _______________ my old car and buy a new one. (trade …)
83. The company is trying to _______________ the competition. (stay …)
84. I am not sure if I can _______________ this task. (carry …)
85. The company is trying to _______________ its costs. (cut …)
86. I am going to _______________ my old clothes. (throw …)
87. The company is trying to _______________ its profits. (boost …)
88. I am going to _______________ my old computer. (get …)
89. The company is trying to _______________ its market share. (build …)
90. I am going to _______________ my old books. (give …)
91. The company is trying to _______________ its sales. (step …)
92. I am going to _______________ my old toys. (d…)
93. The company is trying to _______________ its reputation. (e…)
94. I am going to _______________ my old furniture. (dispose …)
95. They have decided to _______________ with the plan, even though there are some risks
involved. (press …)
96. We need to _______________ a solution to this problem as soon as possible. (come …)
97. I am not sure if I can _______________ the pressure of this job. (stand …)
98. The government is trying to _______________ poverty in the country. (stamp …)
99. The company has decided to _______________ a new strategy to boost sales. (a…)
100. It's important to _______________ your roots, no matter how far you go in life.
(keep …)

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