You say that word a lot

successful with women). We can also say a Casanova or a Romeo (all three are named after famous lovers from stories). Note that these words are often preceded by a regular. A woman who is attractive to men but who treats them badly could be called a femme fatale. 20. busybody (= someone who is very interested in other people’s private lives and activities, and tries to get involved in them in a way that is annoying). Someone who is very interested in other people’s private lives but doesn’t normally get involved could be called a nosey parker. If one of your neighbours is a nosey parker, you could describe him / her as a curtain twitcher (he / she watches the neighbours from behind the curtains in his / her house). 21. Scrooge (= someone who likes to keep all their money and doesn’t like to spend it: from a character in a novel by Charles Dickens). If you pay someone peanuts, you pay them very little money. We could describe a miser as tight or tight-fisted: «Don’t be so tightfisted dad! I only want to borrow £10.» A person who likes to make money is sometimes described as a moneygrabber or a moneygrubber. 22. daydreamer (= someone who is always thinking about something pleasant when they should be doing something more important). A daydreamer could be said to have their head in the clouds. 23. skiver (= a person who isn’t at school or work when they should be). A skiver often pretends to be ill, and is said to be skiving off or throwing a sickie.

24. scrounger (= someone who gets something they want by asking someone for it instead of getting or paying for it themselves. It comes from the verb to scrounge). A lazy, greedy person who does this could be called a parasite (this word has a much more negative connotation). Scrooge (see number 21) would also work in this sentence. 25. rolling stone (= someone who does not

Idioms and other expressions using clothes (page 10)

This is the box with the words highlighted:

stay in the same job or with the same friends for long). This comes from the English saying «A rolling stone gathers no moss«. 26. clock-watcher (= someone who doesn’t concentrate on their work because they wish it was time to stop). 27. salt of the earth (= an ordinary person who is respected because they are honest and good. Note that this expression always uses the and not a). A good or reliable person could also be described as a good egg. 28. troublemaker (= someone who causes problems, often by being violent or by making others argue). We can also say a stirrer (someone who likes to stir up trouble) 29. smart Alec (also written alec or Aleck) (= someone who behaves in an annoying way by trying to show how clever they are). We can also say a clever dick. 30. stuffed shirt (= a boring person, usually male, who always behaves in a very correct way). We can also say a stick in the mud. 31. creep (= an unpleasant person, especially someone who tries to please or impress people in positions of authority). A child at school who is popular with the teachers for doing this might be called a teacher’s pet by his / her jealous schoolmates: «I can’t stand Linda Harley: she’s such a teacher’s pet.«

32.bigmouth (= someone who talks a lot and is unable to keep anything secret). We can also say a blabbermouth.

33.rough diamond (= someone who does not behave politely or is not well-educated, but is pleasant and kind)

34.wolf in sheep’s clothing (= someone who seems friendly but is in fact unpleasant or cruel). The opposite is a teddy bear (= someone, always a man, who looks tough and unfriendly, but is in fact very friendly and pleasant)

35.chinless wonder (= a rich but weak or stupid man). This expression is often used to describe members of the British upper classes.

8. Boot. If you are given the boot, you are dismissed from your job. We can also say sacked or fired. 9. Belt. A comment that is below the belt is cruel and unfair. 10. Socks. If someone tells you to pull your socks up, they are telling you that you are not doing a job well enough and that you must do better. 11. Pants. Something that scares the pants off you is very frightening and scares you a lot. We can also use this expression with other verbs, such as bore, annoy, etc: «Our Biology teacher bores the pants off us!» 12. Anorak. An anorak is a short coat with a hood. When we describe a person as an anorak, we think that they are someone who is very interested in something that most people think is boring or unfashionable. 13. Apron. An apron is something you wear to protect the front of your clothes when you are cooking. A person who is tied to someone’s apron strings is influenced or controlled by someone (usually their mother). 14. Cloak. A cloak is a long thick loose coat without sleeves that fastens around your neck. Something that is described as cloak-and-dagger is secret and may involve an element of mystery. 15. Sock. When you tell someone to put a sock in it, you want them to stop talking. This is an impolite expression. 16. Hat. When you tell someone to keep it under their hat, you want them to keep something secret. 17. Trousers. The person in a relationship who wears the trousers has the most control and makes most of the decisions. 18. Shirt. If we say that someone would give you the shirt off their back, we are saying that they are very kind and generous, and would do anything to help you. 19. Shoes. To be in someone’s shoes is to be in the same situation. It is usually used in a conditional sentence: «What would you do if you were in my shoes?» «If I were in your shoes, I would resign«. 20. Boots. Someone who is too big for his / her boots thinks he / she is more important and powerful than he / she really is.

Idioms and other expressions using colours (pages 11 – 12)

1. green. A person who is green with envy is very jealous (= envious) of the success of others. Jealousy / envy is sometimes humorously referred to as the green-eyed monster. We sometimes say that a jealous person has a green streak in them. 2. red. When someone sees red, they become very angry. We sometimes say that they get the red mist. Something that is likely to make an angry person even more angry can be described as a red rag to a bull: «Don’t ask Charles why his wife left him; that would be like showing a red rag to a bull«. If you become extremely angry, we can say that you go purple with rage. A person who loses his / her temper can be said to lose their rag, fly off the handle or blow their top. 3. blue. If something happens once in a blue moon, it happens very rarely. 4. black. Someone who is described as the black sheep (of the family) is different from the other members of his / her family, and is not approved of by other members of the family. 5. white. If you tell a white lie, you tell someone something that is not true in order to avoid hurting their feelings. 6. red. Red tape refers to documents, rules or processes that cause delay. 7. blue. If someone says that you can do something until you’re blue in the face, they are telling you that there is no point in doing it because you will not be successful (we can also use the expression until the cows come home). 8. blue. If you scream blue murder, you shout very loudly because you are angry, frightened or in pain. 9. pink. If you are in the pink, you are healthy and happy. This is an old-

fashioned expression. 10. white. A white elephant is something that costs a lot of money and is not very useful.

11. green. When somebody gives you the green light, they are giving you their official approval for something to be done. This can also be a verb, to greenlight: «Three directors have greenlighted the project«. We can also say give the go-ahead or be given the go-ahead. 12. Black. If a place is described as being like the Black Hole of Calcutta, it is very crowded and uncomfortable (it comes from the informal name of a former prison in the Indian city of Calcutta, which was so hot and small that many people died there). 13. grey. Your grey matter is your brain. We can also say use your head or use your loaf.

14.red. Something that is described as red-hot is very good or very exciting. This can also be used to describe someone who is very popular or successful: A new red-hot American band. The word white could also be used here.

15.red. A red letter day is a very happy or exciting day.

16.white. White-collar workers work in offices rather than doing physical work. People who work in factories,

down mines, etc, are called blue-collar workers. 17. black. A black hole, in this context, is a situation in which lots of money is spent without bringing any benefits. We can also say a money pit. 18. brown. If you brown-nose someone who is important or powerful, you try very hard to please them by agreeing with them all the time. This can also be a noun: a brown-noser. It is not a polite expression. A man who always agrees with his boss might be called a yes-man and is always sucking up to his boss. 19. green. Somebody who has green fingers is very good at making plants and flowers grow. In American English you would have a green thumb. 20. blue. When something happens out of the blue, it is sudden and unexpected. If it is a big surprise or a big shock, we can say that it is a bolt from the blue. 21. yellow. A person who is yellow is cowardly (= not very brave). We sometimes say that a cowardly person has a yellow streak in them. 22. black. A bank account that is in the black has money in it. When the account is overdrawn (= less than £0 in it, and the account holder owes money to the bank), we say that it is in the red. 23. red. If a person is caught redhanded, he / she is caught doing something wrong (we can also say caught in the act). The salesman in this situation is committing a white-collar crime: see number 16 above. 24. red. When you paint the town red, you enjoy yourself by going to bars and clubs. We can also say that you go out on the town or go out on the razzle.

25. black. If you are in someone’s black books, you are in trouble with them because of something you have said or done. We can also say that you are in the doghouse (with someone): Poor old Bob’s in the doghouse with his wife: he forgot their anniversary again. 26. blue. When the air is turning blue, someone is swearing (= using very rude words) a lot in a loud voice. We can also say that the person who is swearing is turning the air blue. 27. red / white. A glass of red / white is an informal, shortened expression for a glass of red / white wine. 28. green. Somebody who is described as green, or a bit green, is not very experienced at something, usually because he / she is young. We can also say that they are a bit wet behind the ears.

Note that green is also frequently used to talk about the environment, and the protection of the environment: a green transport policy, greener farming methods, green campaigners, the Green Party, etc).

29. black. When someone gives you a black look, they look at you in a very angry way. 30. blue. The boys in

blue is an informal (and usually friendly) expression for the police. 31. black. If you are in a black mood, you are unhappy or angry and in a bad mood. 32. red. If you roll out the red carpet for somebody, you give them special treatment because they are important. 33. black and white. Something that is in black and white is written on paper (for example, a letter or a contract). Note that we cannot say white and black. Do not confuse this with «Black or white?» (an expression that is used when we want to know if someone wants milk in their tea or coffee). 34. black and blue. Someone who is black and blue (all over) is covered with bruises (= dark marks on the skin caused by an accident, or perhaps because they have been hit by someone or something). Note that we cannot say blue and black.

Phrasal verbs, idioms and other expressions using ‘come’ (pages 13 – 14)

The phrasal verb that completes sentence 15 is: coming down with

Most of the phrasal verbs in this exercise can have a different meaning in other contexts. Use your dictionary to find out which ones, and the different meanings they can have.

Exercise 2: Here are the complete conversations. An explanation of each expression can be found below the complete conversations.

saw the two of you. Who is she? And don’t lie, or you’ll get what’s coming, believe me.

assumptions, you win. That was Alan, my new boss.

Tim: I haven’t seen John today. Come to think about it, I haven’t seen him for a few weeks.

Andy: Oh, he’s busy moving into his new house. He’s bought a place in Hampstead.

Tim: In Hampstead? How did he afford that? Houses in Hampstead don’t come cheap.

Andy: Well, he’s come a long way / come up in the world since he worked as a salesman for PTG. He owns his own company now, and is making a fortune.

Apparently he’s now as rich as they come.

that most of the time I don’t know if I’m coming or going. I’m just taking each day as it comes. How’s work for you?

Andy: Oh, so so, you know. I was hoping to look for something else more interesting, but there aren’t many jobs out there. I guess I’ll be with the same company for years to come. What I need is a big win on the lottery.

Tim: Yes, that would come in handy! In the meantime, how about buying me another drink?

Andy: Same again? Tim: Yes please.

Andy: OK, coming right up!

Come again? = An informal spoken expression used for asking someone to repeat what they said. Come off it! = An informal spoken expression used for telling someone that you do not believe them or what they are saying is stupid. Don’t come the innocent with me!

=An informal spoken expression used for telling someone not to pretend they are in a particular situation, because you do not believe them. This can be used in other ways. For example, «Don’t come the poor overworked teacher

with me! I know that teaching is the easiest job in the world!» I don’t know where you’re coming from

=A spoken expression which means «I don’t know what you’re saying or why you’re saying it«. How come…?

=An informal spoken question used for asking how or why something happened. It can be used on its own: «I’m

leaving my job next week.» «Really? How come?»

You’ll get what’s coming! = An informal spoken expression meaning «You’ll experience something bad, which you deserve.» Come clean = To admit the truth, usually about something bad you have done.When it comes to… = When the subject being discussed is a particular thing. This can be used in other ways. For example, «When it comes to holidays, I prefer something lazy.» «When it comes to writing letters, she’s hopeless.» Come to think about it = A spoken expression used for adding something that you have just remembered about a subject that you are talking about.

progress. As rich as they come = Very rich. This can be used with other adjectives. For example, «He’s as lazy as they come» (= he’s very lazy); «She’s as poor as they come» (= she’s very poor). Come up in the world = To become richer, more powerful or more successful than before. I don’t know if I’m coming or going = An informal spoken expression meaning you are very confused, usually because you have too many things to deal with. I’m taking each day as it comes = I don’t worry about something before it happens, and I try to deal with it calmly when it does happen. For years to come = For a long time in the future. This can also be used with other ‘time’ words: for days to come, for weeks to come, etc. Come in handy = Useful for a particular situation (handy = useful) Coming right up! = An informal spoken expression meaning you will bring what someone has asked for (in this case, a drink) very soon.

Phrasal verbs, idioms and other expressions using ‘cut’ (pages 15 – 16)

Exercise 1:

1. cut out 2. cut in 3. cut back on or cut down on (cut down on is usually used when you reduce something from your diet. For example, you might cut down on the amount of meat you eat, or you might cut down on the

across, because a shopping centre is a building, not an open space) 12. cut in 13. cut off 14. cut us out of

Exercise 2:

1. True. 2. False. You interrupt them so that they cannot finish what they are saying. 3. False. You are very upset or offended. 4. False. They pretend not to see or recognise you. 5. True. 6. False. It is cheaper than the normal price. 7. False. You spoil his plans by doing the same thing better than him, or by doing it before him.

8.False. It is one that behaves in an unfair or immoral way in order to get an advantage over other businesses.

9.True. 10. False. You do something that is intended to harm someone even though you know it will harm you too. 11. False. If you cut it fine, you are giving yourself only a very short time to do something. In this case, you might miss your train as a result. 12. False. It is already clearly decided or settled. 13. False. It is extremely modern and advanced. 14. True. 15. False. You start dealing with the most important aspects of something rather than things that are less relevant. 16. True.

17.False. You get out of that situation. 18. False. You are telling them that you are not impressed or influenced by what they are telling you. 19. True. You might also want to save some money. 20. False. You make them accept that they are not as important or impressive as they believe they are. 21. False. They say something that makes you feel very upset. We can also say cuts you to the bone or cuts you to the heart. 22. False. The clothes make them look very attractive. 23. False. You make something last for less time than planned. 24. True.

25.False. You want your share of any money that is made.

Phrasal verbs, idioms and other expressions using ‘do’ (pages 17 – 18)

Exercise 1:

1. (a) do up, (b) doing up 2. (a) done over, (b) done over 3. do out, (b) done out 4. (a) do with, (b) do with (could must be used in this situation. This expression can also be negative: «I could do without your bad moods«) 5. (a) done for, (b) done for (in both of the definitions, do for is usually used in the passive) 6. (a) done away with, (b) done away with 7. (a) done up, (b) doing (herself) up 8. (a) did (him) in, (b) done in (in this definition, done is usually used in the passive) 9. (a) done down, (b) do (yourself) down (we can also say put down or put yourself down) 10. (a) do with, (b) do with (in this situation, do with is usually preceded by nothing to or something to)

good (we can also say do / work wonders for you) 7. do

your dirty work 14. do me a favour (This is often used on

its own as an informal expression which means that you are angry or frustrated with something that someone says: «I’ll give you £500 for your car.» «Do me a favour! It’s worth at least £1000.«) 15. Do as you’re told

16. take some doing 17. did me a good turn or did me a favour 18. the done thing (often used in the negative, as in this sentence)

Idiomatic emphasis (pages 19 – 20)

Across:

2. rock 3. blind (We can also say as drunk as a lord) 4. mule (A mule is an animal that has a horse as its mother and a donkey as its father. Idiomatically, a mule is also someone who is paid to bring illegal drugs into a country by hiding them on or in their body) 6. brick (Thick is an informal word for stupid. We can also say as thick as two short planks) 7. stone 8. sin 9. stiff (Note that we say bored stiff and not stiff bored. We can also say bored rigid) 12. fighting (We can also say as fit as a fiddle) 14. dirt 15. dead* 16. pitch (= it is very dark. We can also say pitch dark or as dark as night) 18. soaking (Clothes that are very wet can also be sopping wet or dripping wet) 20. hopping (Mad in this sentence means angry) 23. wide (The opposite is shut tight) 25. flat (Someone who is broke has no money. We can also say stony broke) 26. gold 28. paper (Objects such as clothes, a wall, etc, are paper thin. Food, when it is very thin, is wafer thin: «Would you like one of these waferthin mints?«) 30. cold (We need to use stone in this expression. We can also say as sober as a judge) 31. red (We sometimes say white hot. If food is very hot, we can say that it is piping hot) 32. brand (We could make this even stronger by saying brand spanking new: «Roger has got a brand spanking new car«)

Down:

1. picture (If something is very pretty, we can say that it is as pretty as a picture) 3. barking (Mad in this sentence means crazy or insane) 5. mouse (We can also say as quiet as a church mouse) 7. sickly 10. fast (Someone who is fast asleep is dead to the world) 11. stinking

12. freezing (Food or drink which is very cold is ice-cold: «I could do with an ice-cold beer«) 13. hills 17. crystal

19. great 21. pie 22. dog 24. deadly 27. dead (Beat in this sentence is an informal word for tired) 29. razor 30. cucumber

* dead can be used as an informal substitute for very in many cases. For example, dead straight, dead slow, dead wrong, dead funny, dead right, etc.

Several verbs can also be emphasised using idioms. These include:

Smoke like a chimney (= smoke a lot); drink like a fish (= drink heavily); sell like hot cakes (= sell a lot of items very quickly: «The new TR76 model mobile phone is selling like hot cakes«); sleep like a log (= sleep very well); run like the wind (= run very quickly); fit like a glove (= fit very well: «My new jumper fits like a glove«); spend / eat / drink (etc) like there’s no tomorrow (= do something a lot without thinking of the consequences: «She’s spending money like there’s no tomorrow«. We can also say like it’s going out of fashion: «She’s spending money like it’s going out of fashion«).

Idioms and other expressions using food and drink (pages 21 – 22)

Across:

3. onions. Somebody who knows their onions knows a lot about their job or profession. This is a slightly oldfashioned expression. 4. pepper. If you pepper someone with questions, you ask them a lot of questions, usually quite quickly. Pepper can be used in other situations to mean containing a lot of: The report was peppered with mistakes. 5. cake. Something that is a piece of cake is very easy. We can also say as easy as pie: The test was as easy as pie. 6. meat. Something or someone who is easy meat is very easy to defeat. If someone is in serious trouble with someone else, we can describe them (very informally) as dead meat: If you borrow my car again without asking, you’re dead meat! 7. potato. A couch potato is someone who spends a lot of time watching television and not getting any exercise. 10. beans. When you spill the beans, you confess or admit to something wrong that you have done (usually when under pressure from someone, such as the police). 11. grapes. Sour grapes is criticism of something that you make because you cannot have it. 12. peanuts. If someone pays you peanuts for doing a job, they pay you very little money. 13. water. Someone who spends money like water spends a lot of money very quickly. 16. butter. Someone who has butter fingers or who is a butter fingers is often dropping things. Butter can be used in other expressions. For example, «Billy Brannigan looks like butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth, but in fact he’s the best salesman in the company» ( = Billy Brannigan looks a bit weak, but he is in fact a very efficient, confident person). 18. sugar. A sugar daddy is a humorous expression for an older man who gives a younger woman expensive presents, especially in exchange for a romantic or sexual relationship. There is no female equivalent of this word, but a young man who goes out with an older woman is sometimes humorously called a toy boy. 19. cream. Someone who looks like the cat who got the cream looks very happy. 21. beetroot. If you go as red as a beetroot (or just go beetroot), your face becomes very red, usually because you are embarrassed. A beetroot is the root of a vegetable that is cooked and eaten cold in salads, but is in fact more purple in colour than red. 24. bacon. The person or people in a family who bring home the bacon earn the money which supports the family. We sometimes call the work that you do for money your bread and butter: «Teaching English is my bread and butter«. The person who makes money for their family is called the breadwinner. 25. apple. A bad or rotten apple is someone in a group who does bad things and therefore has a negative effect on the whole group. 26. jelly. If your body, or part of your body, turns to jelly or feels like jelly, you start to shake and feel weak because you are nervous or frightened. Jelly is a sweet food that shakes when you touch or move it (called Jell-O in the USA).

Down:

1. cheese. The big cheese is a humorous expression for the most important person in a company or organisation. In the USA, people sometimes use the expression head honcho. Cheese can be used in other expressions, including chalk and cheese: Although Rick and Chris are brothers, they’re chalk and cheese ( = Rick and Chris are very different from each other). 2. biscuit. If something takes the biscuit, it is the most silly, stupid or annoying thing in a series of things. 4. peach. A peach of something is very good. This is a slightly old-fashioned

expression. Peach is also sometimes used to describe an attractive woman (Debbie McKenzie is lovely. She’s a real peach!), but this might be considered sexist by some people. 6. mustard. Someone who is as keen as mustard is very keen / enthusiastic. Mustard can also be used in the expression cut the mustard: I’m afraid we can’t offer you the job. You’re very keen, but you just don’t cut the mustard (= you are not good enough for this job). 8. toast. A person or a place that is as warm as toast is comfortably warm. 9. raspberry. When you blow a raspberry at someone you make a rude noise with your mouth and tongue (in the USA, this is known as a Bronx cheer). 10. bananas. This is a humorous word for someone who behaves in a mad or crazy way. We can also say nuts or crackers*. 14. salt. If someone is the salt of the earth, they are a good, honest person who people respect. More informally, we could call that person a good egg. 15. lemon. A person who is or looks a lemon is or appears to be stupid or not effective. This word can also be used to describe something that you buy that does not work properly: I spent £14000 on this car, and it’s a complete lemon! 17. tea. If something is your cup of tea, you like or enjoy it. This expression is usually used in the negative. 19. cucumber. A person who is as cool as a cucumber is very relaxed and does not show extreme emotions such as fear or panic. 20. egg. If you have or are left with egg on your face, you are embarrassed because of something you have done. This expression is often used when talking informally about politics and politicians. 21. beef. If you beef about something, you complain a lot about it. 22. cookie (a cookie is the North American word for a biscuit). A smart cookie (sometimes called a tough cookie) is someone who has a strong character or is intelligent, and deals well with problems and disappointments. 23. candy (candy is the North American word for chocolate). If we describe something as eye candy, it is nice to look at, but not very useful.

* There are a lot of English idioms and other words and expressions that can be used (often humorously, but not politely) to describe someone who is mad or insane, or who behaves in a mad way. Here are a few:

barmy; off his / her rocker; out of his / her tree; dotty; potty; batty; out to lunch; round the bend; potty; bonkers; stark staring bonkers; stark raving mad; a nutcase; a nutter; a basket case; a fruitcake; as nutty as a fruitcake; as mad as a hatter; as mad as a March hare; as mad as a box of frogs; a loony; a crackpot; two sandwiches short of a picnic; a few cards short of a full deck; a few bricks short of a full load; he’s / she’s lost his /her marbles; he’s / she’s got toys in the attic; gaga; doolally (these last four are often used to describe old people who are going senile)

Be very careful how and when you use these words and expressions: they are not politically correct (= they are not considered acceptable in many situations, and some people might be offended by them).

Phrasal verbs, idioms and other expressions using ‘get’ (pages 23 – 24)

Exercise 1:

1. got away with 2. get up to (This is sometimes used to talk about something you did that you should not have

12. getting…across 13. get into 14. getting on for (This can be used in other sentences that involve numbers: «It’s getting on for 10 (o’clock). Perhaps we should leave?«)

(impolite: sometimes used as a direct command: «Get lost! Leave me alone!«. You could also tell someone to get off your back if you are trying to work and someone is watching you and interfering: «Get off my back! Let me do it my own way«) 4. Q (This has the same meaning as to be / get fired: «You’ll get fired if you continue coming in late«) 5. Y (We can use this spoken expression if we don’t know the answer to a question, or because we don’t want to give an answer to a question because we know it will get us into trouble) 6. W 7. U (If someone continually annoys you, usually on purpose, we can say that they get your back up: «My neighbour plays his music really loud just to get my back up«) 8. S (This can also be a phrasal verb, to get together: «Let’s get together at the weekend«) 9. G 10. K (Usually used when we think

can also say We aren’t getting anywhere, or, if you are making progress, We’re getting somewhere: «At last we’re getting somewhere!«) 16. N (a spoken expression. If someone is being very lazy and we want them to do something, we could say «Get off your backside!«) 17. D (Often used in its conditional form, as in this sentence) 18. O (a spoken expression) 19. M 20. J

Phrasal verbs, idioms and other expressions using ‘give’ (page 25)

1. up 2. away 3. shoulder 4. slip 5. up on 6. over (This is normally said in a friendly way. If we are angry with someone, we can say Don’t give me that) 7. away 8. giveaway (We can also say Her face gave the game

16. what for

Phrasal verbs, idioms and other expressions using ‘go’ (pages 26 – 27)

8. going to rack and ruin (This expression can also be used

chance of… (We can also say there goes my chance of…)

15. gone to the dogs (This has a similar meaning to number 8 above) 16. Don’t even go there! 17. going for a song 18. coming and going 19. go on 20. got the go-ahead.

The letters that you have replaced make this expression:

‘When the going gets tough, the tough get going!’

Idioms and other expressions to talk about health, feelings and emotions (page 28)

1. (She is so worried and tired because of her problems that she cannot think of any more ways of solving them)

16. ☺ (She is feeling very happy because something good

very angry because of something that someone has said or done) 20. ☺ (She is very healthy) 21. ☺ (She is experiencing a feeling of great happiness or excitement) 22. (He is feeling very ill) 23. (He is angry and has lost his temper, probably because of something minor or unimportant) 24. ☺ (He is feeling happy and healthy, although this expression is often used ironically when you are not feeling happy or healthy: «Are you OK, Mark?» «Oh yes. My wife has left me, my car has been stolen and

something minor like a cold or a mild stomach illness) 30. (She is very tired) 31. (He is excited, worried or angry about something. We could also say he is agitated)

32.(She looks very ill) 33. (She is feeling a bit ill)

34. (She is angry or unhappy) 35. ☺ (He is feeling very happy because something good has just happened)

Informal phrasal verbs (pages 29 – 30)

1. Yes. 2. No. Stump up means to pay, often without wanting to. 3. No. If something hacks you off, it makes you angry. 4. No. If you bottle out, you run away in order to avoid a fight. 5. Yes. If you freak out, you might become very angry, surprised or excited. 6. No. The government has been accused of making the facts more interesting and impressive than they really are in order to try to trick people. We can also say juice up or jazz up.

7.No. She took (and passed) the exam without difficulty.

8.No. He suddenly went quiet. 9. No. The neighbour talks about something for a long time in a boring and annoying way. We can also say harp on (about something); «He’s always harping on about politics«

10.Yes. 11. No. The President has become lucky.

12.No. If you muck in, you join an activity in order to help people get a job done. 13. Yes. This has a similar meaning to bottle out in number 4. We can also say chicken out. 14. No. Someone who is raking it in is making a lot of money. 15. No. They deny that

programmes are being made simpler and easier to understand in a way that reduces their quality. 16. No. If you suck up to someone, you are very nice to someone in authority so that they treat you well. This expression shows that you do not respect people who behave in this way. 17. No. If you mug up, you revise. We can also say bone up (on something): «I’m boning up on my history for tomorrow’s test.» 18. No. If you chuck up, you vomit or throw up. 19. Yes. 20. Yes. We can also say skive off. The usual idiomatic expression is play truant, or (in the USA) play hooky. Some people also say goof off, although this is usually used for work rather than school. 21. No. They are going to win easily. We can also say romp home. 22. No. He admitted it was true. 23. No. They are enjoying the news and want to hear more. 24. No. If you lighten up, you become less serious. This is often used as an imperative: «For heavens sake, Fiona. Lighten up a bit!» 25. Yes. (The gg is pronounced like a j). 26. No. Half of us had fallen asleep. 27. Yes. This is a more informal version of dying for. 28. No. It sold half its stock to overseas companies. 29. No. If you monkey around, you behave in a silly way. We can also say mess about or muck about. 30. Yes. We can also say mess up. 31. No. Yolanda has been talking for almost an hour about unimportant things. 32. No. If you mouth off to someone or about something, you give your opinions in an annoying way, especially when you are complaining about or criticising something. 33. No. If you tell someone to shove off, you want them to go away because you are angry with them. 34. No. He’ll give you lots of complicated technical information that will confuse you. 35. No. If you bling up, or get blinged up, you put on lots of jewellery.

Phrasal verbs, idioms and other expressions using ‘look’ (pages 31 – 32)

to (this phrasal verb can also be followed by an object:

Exercise 2:

1. (m) (Wouldn’t look twice at is used for saying that you are not at all interested in someone or something) 2. (g) (Someone or something that is not much to look at is not very attractive) 3. (r) (Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth is used for saying that if you are given something good, you should not complain about it or try to find things that are wrong with it) 4. (a) (Look what you’ve done is a spoken expression used when you are annoyed with someone and want them to look at the result of their action) 5. (t) (If you look the other way, you deliberately ignore something that is happening) 6. (k) (Get or have a look-in means to get an opportunity to take part in something or show how well you can do something. It is usually used in negatives or questions: «You’ve been talking non-stop for half an hour. Can I get a look-in?«) 7. (c) (When you look someone in the eye or in the face, you look at them when you are talking to them, especially when you are telling them something that is true. It is usually used in negatives and questions: «Can you look me in the eye and tell me that you aren’t seeing someone else?«) 8. (o) (If you look down your nose at someone,

you think that you are better than they are) 9. (q) (Never looked back is used for saying that someone achieved something special and then became even more successful) 10. (d) (Someone who is looking for trouble is behaving in a way that is likely to get them involved in an argument or fight) 11. (s) (Look where you’re going is a spoken expression used for telling someone to be more careful. We can also say look what you’re doing) 12. (e) (Need look no further is used for saying that you do not need to search anywhere else apart from the suggested place) 13. (h) (Look after yourself is a spoken expression used for saying goodbye to someone you know well. It has the same meaning as take care) 14. (b) (If someone tells you to take a long hard look in the mirror or at yourself, they are telling you that you are not as good or perfect as you think you are) 15. (f) (Someone who looks like something that the cat dragged in has a very dirty and untidy appearance) 16. (p) (The look on someone’s face is the expression they have on their face or in their eyes) 17. (i) (If you are on the lookout for something, you are looking carefully to find, obtain or avoid someone or something) 18. (n) (Look before you leap is an expression used for advising someone to think carefully before doing something) 19. (l) (A look-see is an informal expression meaning an act of looking at or checking something quickly) 20. (j) (If you take one look at someone or something, you look quickly and make a decision)

Notice how a lot of the idioms and other expressions in exercise 2 use phrasal verbs.

Phrasal verbs, idioms and other expressions using ‘make’ (pages 33 – 34)

Exercise 1:

1. make up 2. made off with 3. made up (We can also say made it up) 4. make out (This can also be used if you have difficulty hearing or understanding something: «We were at the back of the theatre and we had difficulty making out what the actors were saying«) 5. making up

6. made out (that can be removed: «He made out he had won the lottery«) 7. make out 8. made up (You can also make up a story to entertain or frighten someone: «Don’t worry. He made up the story about someone in the house just to frighten you«) 9. made over 10. make for 11. made off 12. make out (We often use this when we write a cheque: «Who should I make the cheque payable to?» «Could you make it out to Chile Organica Ltd, please?«) 13. make of 14. made up for 15. make … up to

Exercise 2:

This shows you the ‘code’ for the symbols in this exercise. The letters C, J, Q, X and Z are not needed in any of the sentences.

1.make-or-break (This can also be used as a verb which means to help someone or something to be very successful or to cause them to fail completely: «Music producers have the power to make or break a new star» )

2.make it big 3. makes like (This expression is normally only spoken) 4. make up your mind (We can also say

make your mind up) 5. made short work of 6. makebelieve 7. made a pig of yourself 8. make the most of 9. made a beeline for 10. made a name for herself 11. make head or tail 12. making ends meet 13. making heavy weather of 14. makes no bones about 15. made a dog’s dinner of (We can also say a dog’s breakfast or a pig’s ear) 16. make light of 17. made of sterner stuff 18. make a mountain out of a molehill

Mixed idioms and other expressions (pages 35 – 36)

1. (a) hanging (We can also say hanging in the balance),

(b) hang, (c) Hang 2. (a) carry, (b) carrying, (c) carried 3. (a) fallen, (b) fell, (c) fall 4. (a) break, (b) broken, (c) broke 5. (a) let (We can also say bury the hatchet), (b) let,

(c) let 6. (a) calls, (b) call, (c) call 7. (a) keep (We can also say keep mum, keep it dark or keep it under your hat), (b) keep, (c) keeps 8. (a) hold, (b) hold, (c) Hold 9. (a) Mind, (b) mind, (c) mind 10. (a) count, (b) count,

(c) counting 11. (a) pull, (b) pull, (c) pulling 12. (a) play,

(b) playing, (c) play 13. (a) show, (b) show, (c) show 14. (a) hoping, (b) hope, (c) hope 15. (a) saw, (b) seen,

(c) seen

Mixed phrasal verbs (pages 37 – 38)

off 11. brought up 12. bring up (Note the difference in meaning between raise and bring up in numbers 11

Mixed phrasal verbs and idioms (page 39)

1. back (the 1st gap needs backed) 2. face (the 2nd gap needs facing) 3. play 4. drive (the 2nd, 3rd and 5th gaps need driving) 5. fall (the 1st, 2nd and 6th gaps need fell, the 3rd gap needs falling and the 4th and 5th gaps need fallen) 6. break (the 2nd and 4th gaps need broke, the 3rd gap needs breaking) 7. walk (the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th gaps need walked, the 5th gap needs walking)

Idioms and other expressions used to talk about money (page 40)

Exercise 1:

1. B (If you are up to your ears in debt, you owe a lot of money) 2. B (If you are on the dole, you are unemployed and getting money from the government) 3. A (Someone who has made their pile has made a lot of

money, usually over a long period of time) 4. B (If you cannot make ends meet, you are finding it difficult to pay for important things like your house, food, clothes, etc)

5.A (Someone who is stinking rich is extremely rich)

6.B (If your boss pays you chickenfeed, he / she pays you very little money. We can also say that your boss pays you peanuts) 7. A (Someone who is loaded is very rich)

8.B (Someone who is hard up doesn’t have much money

and finds it difficult to make ends meet) 9. A (If you are well off, you have enough money to live a comfortable life) 10. B (If someone is in the red, they have less than £0 in their bank account and owe the bank money as a result. If they have more than £0 in their account, they are in the black) 11. B (Someone who is strapped for cash needs money. This is usually a temporary situation: «Can I pay you tomorrow? I’m a bit strapped for cash at the moment«.) 12. A (Someone who is made of money is very rich) 13. B (If you are penniless, you have no money at all: this word comes from penny, the smallest unit of British currency) 14. A (As this expression suggests, someone who has money to burn has so much money that they could burn it if they wanted to) 15. B (If you are broke, you have no money. This is usually a temporary situation: «I’m completely broke and I don’t get paid for another week«) 16. A (Someone who has more money than sense has a lot of money, but often wastes it on

18. B (This has a similar meaning to number 15, but is more informal) 19. B (Someone who is down and out has no money and no home, and is probably living rough on the streets) 20. A (If you are feeling flush, you are not rich, but you have more money than usual, perhaps because you have won something: «I’m feeling flush: let me buy you dinner tonight«) 21. A (If you are raking it in, you are getting a lot of money for doing your job) 22. B (Someone who is described as down-at-heel is poor and looks poor: their clothes are probably dirty and in bad condition, their hair is untidy, etc)

Exercise 2:

23. B (We could also say at a giveaway price) 24. A 25. B 26. A (We could also say It cost us a bomb…) 27. B (Break the bank is usually used in the negative: «It won’t break the bank to eat here«) 28. A (This very informal expression can also be a phrasal verb, to rip someone off: «Don’t buy a car from him, he’ll rip you off», «I don’t believe it, we’ve been ripped off again!«)

29. A (We can also say a small packet or an absolute packet. Alternatively, we could use the word fortune: «My new car cost me a small fortune!«. Some people also use

going for a song is very cheap: it is a bargain) 37. B (dirt cheap = extremely cheap) 38. A

Another popular expression in English is pay through the nose. This is used when you have spent a lot of money on something: «We paid through the nose for our tickets to see the match«.

There are several very informal words for money in English. These include: dough, dosh; readies; wonga; spondulics; the wherewithal (= the money that you need to do something: «We would love to take a holiday, but we haven’t got the wherewithal«. This is less informal than the other words here.)

Idioms and other expressions that use numbers (pages 41 – 42)

11. something (Written as one word: thirtysomething. This can also be a noun: «The bar is very popular with thirtysomethings«. We can also say twentysomething,

say She doesn’t know the first thing about them)

17. wrongs 18. heaven (We can also say on cloud nine)

19. together 20. degree 21. First come, first served.

Idiomatic ‘pairs’ (page 43)

1. length and breadth. If you walk / drive / travel the length and breadth of a place, you go in or through every part of it, usually looking for something. We can also say that we search, look or hunt high and low when we are trying to find something that is not easy to find: «I’ve hunted high and low for the car keys, but I can’t find them anywhere«. 2. spick and span. A place that is spick and span is very clean and tidy. 3. bits and pieces: small things that don’t cost much money. This expression can be applied to other areas apart from shopping: «I’ve been sorting through a few bits and pieces that I found in my bedroom cupboard«. We can also say odds and ends.

4. pros and cons: advantages and disadvantages / good points and bad points. 5. safe and sound: in a situation or place where there is no danger. 6. down and out. A person who is down and out has no money and no home, and lives rough, sleeping on the street. 7. ins and outs: the rules and the way something works or is organised.

8.sick and tired. If you are sick and tired of something, you are angry because it happens all the time. We can also say that you are sick to the back teeth of something.

9.up and about: out of bed and feeling better after an illness. 10. wear and tear. Something that is showing signs of wear and tear is not in a very good condition because it has been used a lot. 11. by and large: generally, for most of the time. We can also say on the whole or for the most part. 12. black and white: written on paper, in the form of a letter, document, etc. Black and white can also be used as an adjective to talk about one idea that is clearly right and another that is clearly wrong: «Immigration is not a simple black-and-white issue«.

13.song and dance. If you make a song and dance about something, you complain about it in an annoying and unnecessary way. 14. ups and downs. If you have your ups and downs, you experience a variety of situations that are sometimes good and sometimes bad. 15. heaven and earth. A person who is prepared to move heaven and earth for something is very determined to get what they want, and will therefore do anything to get it. 16. high and mighty. A person who is high and mighty thinks that they are more important than other people, and this attitude is reflected in their behaviour and attitude.

17.cheap and cheerful. Something that is cheap and cheerful is not expensive and of reasonable quality. It is often used to describe wine and restaurants: «Let’s go somewhere cheap and cheerful for dinner«. 18. fair and square: in a way that is clear and fair, so that no one can complain or disagree. 19. alive and kicking: still existing and not gone or forgotten, especially when this is surprising, or living and healthy or active, especially when this is surprising. We can also say alive and well. 20. hard

and fast. Hard and fast rules are rules that people must obey.

Other idiom ‘pairs’ include:

Life and limb (if you risk or sacrifice life and limb, you are put or put yourself in physical danger: «The journalist risked life and limb to get his story«); cut and dried (something that is cut and dried is already clearly decided or settled: «This matter us cut and dried, so we don’t need to discuss it any more«); neck and neck (in a race, two people, etc, who are neck and neck are both in the same position: «Jones and Allinson are both neck and neck as they approach the finish line«); prim and proper (someone who is prim and proper is very careful about their behaviour and appearance, and is easily shocked by what other people say or do: «For heavens sake, Moira, don’t be so prim and proper all the time!«); cloak and dagger (something that is cloak and dagger involves mystery or secrets: «My father works for a very cloak-and-dagger department in the government«); now and again (sometimes, occasionally: «I speak to her on the phone every week, and now and again we meet for lunch«); cock and bull (a cock and bull story is a story that people don’t think is true: «He was late and made up some cock-and- bull story about losing his car keys«); free and easy (relaxed and pleasant: «There was a very free and easy atmosphere at the meeting«); skin and bone (someone or something who is all or just skin and bone is very thin: «Have you been eating properly? You’re all skin and bone!«); so-and-so (we sometimes use this expression when we are describing someone we don’t approve of and don’t want to use a rude word: «Her children are right so-and-so’s!«)

Three expressions (up and down, to and fro, back and forth) have a similar meaning: to repeatedly move in one direction and then in another: «While he waited for the news, he paced back and forth anxiously«.

Idioms and other expressions using parts of the body (pages 44 – 45)

1. tongue 2. leg 3. ears 4. head (For (b), we can also say My boss jumped down my throat) 5. arm

6. (a) teeth, (b) tooth (For (b), we can also say fighting tooth and claw) 7. shoulder 8. (a) foot, (b) feet 9. nose (For (a), we can also say She gets my back up or She pisses me off ( )) 10. back 11. neck (For (b), we can also say I’m up to my eyeballs in work) 12. hair (For (b), we can also say She didn’t bat an eyelid) 13. lips 14. hands 15. toes 16. eye 17. throats (In (b), forcing could be replaced with pushing, ramming, thrusting or

There are also lots of compound adjectives (= adjectives containing more than one word) which use parts of the body. These include: weak-kneed; starry-eyed; straightfaced; tight-lipped; tight-fisted; big-headed; hard-headed; hard-hearted; soft-hearted; big-hearted; thick-skinned; two-faced; light-fingered.

This exercise uses just a few of the English idioms that use parts of the body. There are hundreds more in the

Macmillan English Dictionary. Develop a ‘bank’ of these, and try to use them in your everyday English.

Phrasal verbs, idioms and other expressions using ‘pick’ (page 46)

16. pick a winner (This informal expression can be used in any situation where you make a good decision that makes you successful)

Phrasal verbs, idioms and other expressions using ‘put’ (page 47)

Here is the completed text. Use your dictionary to check the meanings of any expressions that you don’t understand.

The company I had been working for was taken over by a new manager, and we didn’t get on very well. Every suggestion that I put forward he rejected, he put me under a lot of pressure to work longer hours, and he continually put me down in front of the other employees. The final straw came when he told me to put together an exhibition for a trade fair: I put in weeks of work, but he told me that he thought the final result was «rubbish». He even put the word out that I was lazy and unreliable. I made a great effort to put aside our differences, but eventually decided the best thing would be to put in for a transfer to another department. When this was refused, I decided I couldn’t put up with it any more, and resigned.

Fortunately I had managed to put aside a bit of money (including some that I had put into a high-interest deposit account), and so I decided to take a well-deserved holiday. There were several interesting holiday offers in the newspapers, but I decided to put off choosing one until I found exactly what I wanted. It was a friend who put me onto a travel agency that specialised in walking holidays in interesting parts of the world. I checked their website, found a holiday that I wanted and put down a £200 deposit, followed by the balance three weeks later. When the tickets didn’t arrive, I tried calling their telephone helpline, but was continually put through to a recorded announcement. After several attempts to phone them, I put pen to paper and wrote them a letter (I’m always much better at putting myself across in writing than I am at speaking). I was naturally put out when I didn’t get a reply, so I visited the agency in their London offices. The manager saw me personally and I put my situation to him, explaining that I either wanted my tickets or my money back. He tried to put me off by saying that there was no record of my booking, but I put him straight by showing him the transaction record on my credit card account. I then put my foot down and insisted he return my money. To my shock he called me a liar and told a security guard to remove me from the building. That was when I lost my temper. I went to my car, started the engine, put the car into gear, put my foot down, and smashed the car through the agency’s window.

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

Idiomatic and colloquial responses (pages 48 – 49)

Exercise 1: (These are the most appropriate answers):

1. R (Cheerio is an informal way of saying goodbye. Do not confuse this with Cheers, which is something we say when we drink, or when we thank someone very informally) 2. N (Someone who is in the doghouse is in trouble for something they have or haven’t done: «You’ll be in the doghouse if you don’t finish Mr Walton’s report by lunchtime«) 3. Y (Congratulations is used for special events such as anniversaries, engagements, marriages, the birth of a new baby, etc. Some people also use it for birthdays, but this is less common) 4. P (This impolite expression is something we say when we want people to stop asking personal questions. It is sometimes shortened to Mind your own) 5. Q (How typical!, sometimes shortened to just Typical! is a very common English expression that we use when something that happens frequently happens again: «Our flight has been delayed. Typical!» 6. U (We say That’ll teach you when we do not feel sorry for the person who is complaining because it is their own fault. It is often followed by for + an —ing verb: «That’ll teach you for eating so much» or not to + an infinitive verb: «That’ll teach you not to eat so much«. We can also say Serves you right.) 7. G (You and whose army? is a very informal and aggressive expression which means that you do not think the person who is speaking to you is capable of doing something, especially fighting. It is sometimes used humorously between good friends) 8. W (You’re welcome is a polite response when someone thanks us. We can also say Not at all, My pleasure or, less formally, No problem or OK. Make yourself at home is an expression we use to make people feel comfortable when they visit our home) 9. I (Stop blowing your own trumpet is an informal, impolite expression which means the same as Don’t boast! or Stop showing off!) 10. J (We can also say You too) 11. O (This is a very informal expression that we use when we want to say how much we want something to eat or drink: «I’m really thirsty: I could

13. E (a very informal way of saying you hope someone sleeps well) 14. A (This is a very informal way of telling someone that they should do something more interesting in their free time) 15. B (a very informal way of saying Don’t touch!) 16. C (a very informal way of saying that you are full and can’t eat any more) 17. V (an expression of disappointment) 18. H (These expressions are used informally to say that you don’t believe someone, that you think they are joking) 19. S (Both these informal expressions are used to tell someone that you are listening or are going to listen to them) 20. T (In your dreams! is a very informal expression that we use to say that something is unlikely to happen. We can also say Dream on!) 21. D (To let the cat out of the bag means to reveal a secret) 22. M (We say Bless you! when someone sneezes. North Americans usually say Gesundheit!) 23. F (used very informally when you disagree strongly with someone. Nonsense or garbage can be used instead of rubbish) 24. L (Hang on means wait, and has the same meaning as hold on) 25. K (The second speaker is saying that the present he has bought for the first speaker is a secret for now)

Exercise 2:

1. Cheer (We say this when we want someone who is sad to be happy) 2. sleep (The second speaker wants time to think about his / her decision) 3. spit (The second speaker wants the first speaker to say what he / she

means) 4. tongue (The second speaker wants to know why the first speaker is having problems speaking) 5. jump (The second speaker is angrily and very impolitely telling the first speaker to go away. Some people might say Get lost, Get knotted, Shove off, Take a hike, Sling your hook, Take a long walk off a short pier, Go and play with the traffic, Get on your bike, or other expressions which are much too rude to print here) 6. fingers (The second speaker is saying that he / she hopes the first speaker will be successful) 7. guest (Be my guest is a polite way of saying Yes you can. We can also say Help yourself) 8. returns (This is a slightly more formal way of saying Happy Birthday) 9. rather (This is a polite way of saying No you can’t) 10. day (We say That’ll be the day when we don’t believe something will happen. We might also say «And pigs might fly!«) 11. shelf (Someone who is on the shelf hasn’t got a girlfriend / boyfriend) 12. bells (When something like a person’s name rings a bell, it sounds familiar to you, but you can’t remember why: «Have you been to that bistro on the High Street? It’s called Quasimodo» «Quasimodo? I’m not sure. The name rings a bell«) 13. weight (Someone who throws their weight around uses their authority in an unreasonable or unpleasant way) 14. port (We use this expression when something that we want or need is not available and we must have something else instead. Beggars can’t be choosers has a similar meaning) 15. socks (The second speaker wants the first speaker to work harder) 16. kitchen (This expression is used for telling someone that they should not do something if they cannot deal with the difficult or unpleasant aspects of it) 17. hard, bad, tough (These all have the same meaning. Tough luck is more informal. Some people also say Hard cheese, but this is usually used in an ironic way) 18. tongue (The second speaker knows the name of the restaurant, but cannot remember it at the moment) 19. wood (We say touch wood to prevent bad things happening to us. Some people also touch a piece of wood when they say this) 20. cheese (We say Say cheese when we take someone’s photograph and we want them to smile)

Idioms and other expressions that rhyme or alliterate (pages 50 – 51)

1.hunky-dory (pleasant because there are no problems)

2.double Dutch (speech or writing that is difficult to understand) 3. tittle-tattle (talk about what other people are doing, especially when it is not true or accurate. Gossip) 4. willy-nilly (Something that happens willy-nilly happens whether you want it to or not, or it happens in a

careless way, without planning) 5. done and dusted (If something is done and dusted, you have finished dealing with it and it is not necessary to discuss it any more) 6. higgledy-piggledy (mixed together in a way that is not

8. chock-a-block (very full, so that there is not much room for anything or anyone else) 9. heebie-jeebies (Something that gives you the heebie-jeebies makes you feel very nervous) 10. pitter-patter (the noise that rain makes on a window or roof) 11. Hold your horses (an informal spoken expression which means wait) 12. wear and tear (Something that is showing signs of wear and tear is not in as good a condition as it once was)

13.lager louts (young men who drink too much alcohol and then start fights or damage property. Hooligans)

14.creepy-crawly (an insect or spider, used to show that

you dislike or are afraid of them) 15. by hook or by crook

(If you do something by hook or by crook, you try to achieve what you want in any way possible, either honestly or dishonestly) 16. as dull as dishwater (also as dull as ditchwater. Very boring)* 17. through thick and thin (People who stay with each other through thick and thin stay together despite all the bad things that happen to them) 18. hoity-toity (behaving in a rude way to other people because you think you are better then them. This is similar to high and mighty) 19. footloose and fancyfree (single, without a girlfriend or boyfriend. This expression suggests that the person is happy to be single. If they are unhappy about it, we would describe them as being on the shelf) 20. hurly-burly (a lot of noisy activity, usually involving large numbers of people) 21. shillyshally (to delay too long before making a decision. Similar to dilly dally: to do things very slowly) 22. wishy-washy (not strong or definite. We can also say airy-fairy to describe people who are like this and who are also not sensible or practical) 23. clap-trap (also written as one word: claptrap. Stupid talk that you do not believe)

24.head over heels (If you fall head over heels (in love) with someone, you start to love them very much)

25.hocus-pocus (an activity or a belief that you think has no value and is intended to trick people. This is similar to mumbo-jumbo) 26. ho-hum (not very good / nothing

special. We can also say humdrum) 27. hoi polloi (an insulting expression for ordinary people who are not very rich or well-educated. It is similar to riff-raff) 28. short shrift (if you give someone short shrift, you give them a firm and immediate refusal to do something) 29. even Stevens (equal during a competition such as a football match, quiz, etc. For a race, we can say neck and neck) 30. rhyme or reason (If there is no rhyme or reason why something has happened, you are unable to explain why it happened)

* A lot of idioms of emphasis (see page 19) use alliterations. These include: as thick as thieves; as right as rain; as pleased as Punch; as dead as a doornail / as dead as a dodo; as pretty as a picture; as mad as a March hare; as cool as a cucumber; as fit as a fiddle

Phrasal verbs, idioms and other expressions using ‘Run’ (pages 52 – 53)

Exercise 1:

There are several possible combinations, but these are the best ones. You can probably guess the meanings of most of the phrasal verbs from their context. Use your dictionary to look up any that you don’t know or can’t guess. Remember, however, that one phrasal verb can have several meanings: make sure you find the right meaning in your dictionary.

1.I’m not very happy with the people I work with. I guess I’m a bit fed up with them running me down all the time.

2.I saw Janine for the first time in years today. I ran into her in a café on the High Street. 3. Look at this wonderful vase I found. I ran across it in an antique shop in Brighton. 4. I’ve always been a very independent person. It began when I tried to run away from home when I was 10 years old. 5. I am absolutely exhausted. I’ve been running around at work all day without a break. 6. I really want to discuss my ideas for the company with someone. I was wondering if I could run them by you some time this morning? 7. We need enough agendas for everyone coming to the conference. If I run off 150 copies, that should be enough. 8. Last

winter was particularly cold. I ran up a huge heating bill as a result. 9. I really must deal with these accounts. I’ve been running away from them all day / for too long. 10. I’ve got a lot to do at work today. I hope the morning meeting doesn’t run on for too long / all day. 11. I’m having a lovely holiday in Italy, and I really don’t want to leave. I suppose that when my money runs out I’ll have to come home. 12. I’ve got one leg slightly longer than the other. It’s been like that ever since I was run down / over crossing a pedestrian crossing as a child. 13. I think that everyone’s here. I’ll just run through the names on my list to make sure. 14. I had a small accident in my car last month. I couldn’t believe it when the bill for repairs ran to almost £1000. 15. I need a bit of romance and adventure in my life. Perhaps I should just run off with the first man who catches my eye!

11. cut 12. money 13. down 14. rings (We can also say running circles around him) 15. wild (We can also say run riot, run amok or run amuck) 16. scared 17. high

Phrasal verbs, idioms and other expressions using ‘set’ (page 54)

1. False. It causes them to fight or argue, even though they were in a friendly relationship before: «A bitter industrial dispute set worker against worker«. 2. True. «Spending cuts have set the project back by several months«. This can also be a noun: a setback. 3. True. «She set her concerns down in a letter and gave it to her manager«. 4. False. You have just started it: «We set off early the next morning«. We can also say set out. 5. True. «She claims she is innocent and someone has set her up«. 6. False. You have started a business: «The group plans to set up an import-export business«.

7. False. It makes it start, usually accidentally: «When Jeff pushed the door open, he set off the alarm«. 8. False. It has cost you a lot of money: «His new car has set him back almost £25000«. 9. False. You save money to use for a particular purpose. «We’ve set aside some money for a holiday«. We can also say put aside. 10. True. «Let’s go inside. It looks like the rain has set in«. 11. True. «I always thought that Sydney was the capital of Australia until someone set me straight«. We can use put instead of straight. 12. False. You want something very much: «I’ve got my heart set on the new Mazda MX5«. We can also say to set your heart on something: «I’ve set my heart on the new Mazda MX5«. 13. False. You begin living in a particular place or with a particular person. «Many people set up home together before getting married«. We can also say set up house. 14. False. You have, or have been given, enough money so that you do not have to work for the rest of your life: «Her inheritance set her up for life«. We can also say set for life. 15. False. It creates the conditions in which something is likely to happen: «The workers’ demands were rejected, setting the stage for a strike«. 16. False. You are completely opposed to it: «She’s dead set against giving her children fast food«. 17. True. «Mr Bridger is old, stubborn and set in his ways«. 18. False. You have a short quarrel or fight with them: «I had a bit of a set-to with Carol earlier«.

19. False. They cause trouble by doing or saying something: «He really set the cat among the pigeons

when he accused us of not working hard enough«. 20. True. «What’s that horrible noise? It’s really setting my teeth on edge«. 21. False. They make something start: «There are several things we need to discuss. Who wants to set the ball rolling?» We can also say start or get the ball rolling. 22. False. They are telling you to improve the way you behave or do things, especially before criticising how other people behave or do things: «Before you criticise my bad habits, you should set your own house in order«. We can also say get or put your house in order.

Phrasal verbs, idioms and other expressions using ‘take’ (pages 55 – 56)

Idioms and other expressions using ‘time’ (page 57)

1. = (p): a situation in which you do not have enough time to do something. 2. = (u): to make some of your time available for a particular purpose. 3. = (w): an expression used at the beginning of children’s stories about events that happened in the past. 4. = (r): to like someone or something a lot. 5. = (a): someone or something that is in a time warp seems old-fashioned because they have not changed when other people and things have changed. 6. = (x) or (f): to make some of your time available for a particular purpose. This expression is often used in the negative. 7. = (q): earlier than necessary. 8. = (y): a spoken expression used for saying that someone should do something now, instead of waiting to do it later. 9. = (e): an expression that is usually spoken, which means that you are annoyed because something has happened later than it should. 10. = (b): usually. 11. = (v) or (q): used for telling someone to hurry. 12. = (d): used for talking about what will happen at some future time.

13.= (k): a spoken expression used for saying that you will know in the future whether something is true or right.

14.= (s): many times, usually so often that you become annoyed. We can also say time after time or time and again. 15. = (t): to make time seem to pass more quickly by doing something instead of just waiting. 16. = (l): to change and become modern. 17. = (c): used for saying that something is strange or surprising. 18. = (j): a humorous spoken expression, usually ironic, to say that you are surprised what the time is. 19. = (n): the second time that something happens. Also the first time around, the third time around, etc. 20. = (o): much more modern or advanced than other people or things. 21. = (i): sometimes, but not often. 22. = (h): for the present.

23.= (m): for a long period of time. 24. = (g): busy.

25.= (f): used for talking about things that happen fairly often.

Idioms and other expressions used to talk about travel and holidays (pages 58 – 59)

1. stone (More informally, we can also say within spitting distance: «The hotel was within spitting distance of the beach«) 2. scenic 3. trotter (Someone who travels to a lot of places by air could be called a jetsetter) 4. cut-price (Tickets for these and other airlines are usually bought on the Internet, but you might also buy them from a bucket shop, a travel agency that specialises in cheap travel tickets) 5. dogs (We could also say it’s gone downhill) 6. fleapit 7. thumb 8. beaten 9. nowhere 10. back (The expressions in numbers 8, 9 and 10 have a similar meaning, but 9 and 10 usually have negative

19. world 20. way (More informally, we could say that

visit a person or a place for a very short period of time, you could say that you pay a flying visit: «Last year we paid a

Note that many of the expressions in this exercise are not exclusive to travel and holidays, and can be used to talk about other things. For example, you often read between the lines when you read a story in a newspaper, or when you listen to a politician’s speech.

Phrasal verbs, idioms and other expressions using ‘turn’ (pages 60 – 61)

Exercise 1:

1. in 2. out 3. to 4. on (Note that the position of the object me in sentence (b) is very important: if you put it after the phrasal verb, the sentence has a very different meaning!) 5. over 6. around or round 7. up 8. away 9. against 10. off (This has the same meaning as switch

Note that most of the phrasal verbs in this exercise have more meanings than are shown here. Use your dictionary to find these.

Exercise 2:

You can probably guess the meanings of most of the idioms and expressions in this exercise from their context. Use your dictionary to look up any that you don’t know or can’t guess. There are several possible combinations of sentence / response, but these are the best ones:

1. n (If you scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours is an informal spoken expression which means that you will help someone if they help you) 2. h 3. b 4. p 5. j (Someone who is at their wits’ end is very upset or worried

Idioms that use words connected with the weather (page 62)

1. a frosty reception (= the people who listened to the speech disapproved of what they heard. Frosty can be used with other words to express disapproval. For

example, a frosty look, a frosty stare, a frosty tone, etc)

2.my mind is in a fog (= the speaker cannot think clearly)

3.save something for a rainy day (= save some money for

when you need it) 4. right as rain (= feeling well) 5. has a really sunny disposition (= very happy, cheerful, friendly, etc) 6. snowed under (= the speaker has so much work to do that he cannot do anything else) 7. a face like thunder (= the boss looks very angry) 8. run like the wind (= run very quickly) 9. cloud your judgement (= if something clouds your judgement, it makes you less able to make a good decision) 10. stole my thunder (= he took my ideas and used them as his own, then got all the credit) 11. got the red mist (= became extremely angry) 12. took the wind out of my sails (= the manager made the speaker feel much less enthusiastic or confident about something) 13. on cloud nine (= very happy because of something that has happened. We can also say in seventh heaven) 14. it never rains but it pours (= a spoken expression which means that problems often seem to happen all at the same time) 15. take a rain check (= turn down an offer and accept it at a later date) 16. as pure as the driven snow (= an expression we use when someone thinks that they are morally superior to other people, but we know that they are not) 17. Any port in a storm (= a spoken expression which means that you will accept any help or take any opportunity if you are in a bad situation) 18. see which way the wind blows (= if you wait to see which way the wind blows, you observe a situation carefully before making a decision) 19. come rain or shine (= a spoken expression which means that you will do something regardless of what else happens) 20. put the wind up (= if you put the wind up someone, you make them nervous or frightened) 21. a storm in a teacup (= a lot of trouble about something that is not important) 22. got wind of (= find out something secret or private) 23. a hail of criticism (= a lot of people criticised her suggestions) 24. rain on her parade (= do something to spoil someone’s ideas, plans, etc)

There are also a lot of expressions that can be used to talk about the weather. If it is raining very heavily, we can say that it is raining cats and dogs (a rather old-fashioned expression), or it’s chucking (it) down. We can describe a very hot day as a scorcher. If there is a very strong wind, we might say that it is blowing a gale. If there is a cold breeze (= light wind), we could say that there is a nasty nip in the air. When the weather is very cold, we could humorously say that it is brass monkey weather or it’s cold enough to freeze the balls of a brass monkey (an old navy expression that has passed into everyday English: balls in this case are cannonballs). A thick fog could be described as a pea-souper, and the speaker might complain that he can’t see his hand in front of his face. If it is cold, windy and rainy, we could describe it as a pig of a day.

Idioms and other expressions used for talking about work (pages 63 – 64)

away at a particular task: «She’s beavering away at her expenses«) 13. (d) (The other options are not real English

words) 14. (c) (We could describe someone who swings the lead a lot as being work-shy) 15. (a) (If they are claiming money illegally – for example, if they have a job and are still on the dole – we could say that they are on the fiddle)

* Other ‘rages‘ (when you get very angry because of something bad that happens) include: air rage (in an aircraft or at the airport); road rage (while driving your car); trolley rage (in a busy supermarket – this is usually used humorously)

Note that many of the idioms and expressions in this exercise are not exclusive to work, and can be used in other areas.

Phrasal verbs, idioms and other expressions using ‘work’ (page 65)

Exercise 2:

11. We had everything (for example, bacon, sausage,

eggs, toast, mushrooms, tomatoes, beans, etc). We can also say the full works or the full Monty. 12. The boss did something that suddenly stopped a process or plan. 13. We will have a difficult job to do. 14. The cold shower had an extremely (and surprisingly) good result.

15.You will need to work very hard to pass your exams. People from the USA sometimes say work your butt off.

16.He ate the meal very quickly. This expression can be used in other situations to mean deal with something quickly and efficiently. If you make short work of someone, you defeat an opponent quickly and easily: «Harrison wasn’t playing very well, and Jennings made short work of him in the second set» 17. Don’t get upset, angry or excited. We can also say Don’t work yourself up. 18. People who work or play the system do or get what they want despite the rules that make it difficult. 19. I’ve worked very hard. This expression is often used when hard physical work is involved. 20. All in a day’s work is an expression used for saying that a particular situation or experience is normal for someone, although most people would find it difficult or unusual. It is often used as a sentence on its own: «I’ve been shouted at, spat at, sprayed with paint and had eggs thrown at me today!» «Never mind, Prime Minister. All in a day’s work, eh?«