tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69352420631295684472024-03-19T08:40:33.220+01:00PRACTISE ENGLISHWojtekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00118240525803861208noreply@blogger.comBlogger48125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6935242063129568447.post-13997848075835125812012-10-31T21:28:00.001+01:002012-10-31T21:29:31.049+01:00CAE Speaking part 2 practice 4<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Compare and contrast 2 or 3 of the pictures and say ...</span></span><br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Wojtekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00118240525803861208noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6935242063129568447.post-20438428841997025392012-10-31T21:28:00.000+01:002012-10-31T21:28:21.124+01:00FCE key word transformation 11<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
Wojtekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00118240525803861208noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6935242063129568447.post-89510234123504407222009-06-14T18:28:00.003+02:002009-06-14T18:48:53.708+02:00CAE Speaking part 2 practice 5<p><span style="font-size:12;"><strong>Compare 2 or 3 and say what the people might be feeling and which of the people seems the lone</strong></span><span style="font-size:12;"><strong>liest.</strong></span></p><br /><p style="text-align: right;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.notmuch.com/BusPictures/stephenatfire.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 254px; height: 190px;" src="http://www.notmuch.com/BusPictures/stephenatfire.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><img style="margin: 5px;" alt="" src="http://thumbs.dreamstime.com/thumb_14/1120614176aKf074.jpg" /><img style="margin: 5px;" alt="" src="http://thumbs.dreamstime.com/thumb_127/117311202148AL44.jpg" /></p><br /><p><span style="font-size:12;"><strong>Compare 2 or 3 and say why they might have chosen what they are doing and which of the situations seems the most challenging.</strong></span></p><br /><p><img style="margin: 5px;" alt="" src="http://samlow.com/images/KimTerryStormWeb.jpg" width="399" height="298" /><img style="margin: 5px;" alt="" src="http://www.met.utah.edu/jimsteen/ams/quiz/quizpics/q9.jpg" width="451" height="295" /><img style="margin: 5px;" alt="" src="http://i.wp.pl/a/f/jpeg/20261/pampeluna8.jpeg" width="428" height="314" /></p><br /><p><span style="font-size:12;"><strong>Compare 2 or 3 and say why they might have decided to work at night and which of the jobs seems the hardest.</strong></span></p><br /><p><img style="margin: 5px;" alt="" src="http://blog.syracuse.com/weekend/2007/11/large_071122_nightshift.jpg" /><img style="margin: 5px;" alt="" src="http://www.mkgeneral.nhs.uk/uploads/images/ae.jpg" width="336" height="381" /><img style="margin: 5px;" alt="" src="http://www.seabeef.com/images/Chuckonfishboat.JPG" width="252" height="386" /></p><br /><p><span style="font-size:12;"><strong>Compare 2 or 3 and say why in your opinion they have chosen to participate in the event and which of the parties you would choose to be at.</strong></span></p><br /><p><img style="margin: 5px;" alt="" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/125/398601218_5bc31fa282_o.jpg" width="433" height="323" /><img style="margin: 5px;" alt="" src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/05/20/article-1185030-01E33E7000000578-914_468x296_popup.jpg" width="505" height="318" /><img style="margin: 5px;" alt="" src="http://familyinnewyork.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/new-years-eve-times-square.jpg" /></p><br /><p></p><br /><p></p><br /><p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 136); text-align: right;"><small><em>Powered by</em> <a href="http://www.qumana.com/">Qumana</a></small></p>Wojtekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00118240525803861208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6935242063129568447.post-38674914815451327782009-06-13T22:17:00.001+02:002009-06-13T22:19:05.193+02:00HIGHLY RECOMMENDED BEFORE FCE SPEAKING<p>CLICK HERE: <a href="http://www.ukstudentlife.com/English/Exams/Oral.htm">http://www.ukstudentlife.com/English/Exams/Oral.htm</a></p><p>REALLY USEFUL!!!</p>Wojtekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00118240525803861208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6935242063129568447.post-42154513406280438912009-06-06T19:43:00.002+02:002009-06-06T19:48:17.692+02:00CAE Speaking part 2 practice 4<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p><strong>Compare and contrast 2 or 3 of the pictures and say... </strong></p> <p> <strong>A: Why are the flags being used?<br /> What effect might they have on people who see them? </strong></p> <p> <a href="http://www.dave.co.nz/space/moon-hoax/images/jump-salute.jpg"><img src="http://www.dave.co.nz/space/moon-hoax/images/jump-salute.jpg" width="378" height="342" /></a><a href="http://www.london-se1.co.uk/news/images/041007_cathedralschool1.jpg"><img src="http://www.london-se1.co.uk/news/images/041007_cathedralschool1.jpg" width="400" height="300" /></a><a href="http://www.squarehe.com/images/0610/street.jpg"><img src="http://www.squarehe.com/images/0610/street.jpg" align="middle" width="385" height="289" /></a> </p> <p> <strong>A: What do the wheels enable people to do?</strong><br /> <strong>How important may they be?</strong> </p> <p> <a href="http://charlotteandderek.com/NavyPierFerrisWheel2.jpg"><img src="http://charlotteandderek.com/NavyPierFerrisWheel2.jpg" width="400" height="305" /></a> <a href="http://travel.paintedstork.com/blog/image/dec08/potter_wheel.jpg"><img src="http://travel.paintedstork.com/blog/image/dec08/potter_wheel.jpg" width="396" height="321" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyg4uJqLzXbkI-oafo21cx_1Po7eovpPwuVixN6g-Zl3yXsvaL9ECxIrLcKPW_Cfw9dPyMUzixeuFUbYAPEDdxeWN22ug6D_t1tfPgzYpR2D7sBUJBrhwwynHku5FK70M8wCdpoWHSR9E/s320/wheel.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyg4uJqLzXbkI-oafo21cx_1Po7eovpPwuVixN6g-Zl3yXsvaL9ECxIrLcKPW_Cfw9dPyMUzixeuFUbYAPEDdxeWN22ug6D_t1tfPgzYpR2D7sBUJBrhwwynHku5FK70M8wCdpoWHSR9E/s320/wheel.jpg" width="240" height="320" /></a> </p> <p> <strong>A: Why do children enjoy games like these?<br /> What might children learn from playing them?</strong><br /> </p> <p> <a href="http://www.mount-hope.org/pics/news/200710/games_darok.jpg"><img src="http://www.mount-hope.org/pics/news/200710/games_darok.jpg" width="400" height="300" /></a> <a href="http://images.smarter.com/blogs/Kids%20Playing%20Video%20Games.jpg"><img alt="http://www.smh.com.au/ffximage/2006/04/14/video_game_kids_wideweb__470x293,0.jpg" src="http://images.smarter.com/blogs/Kids%20Playing%20Video%20Games.jpg" width="468" height="354" /></a> <a href="http://courseweb.unt.edu/rhondac/ss2000/cecs5800/Photos/KoraKidsGames.JPG"><img src="http://courseweb.unt.edu/rhondac/ss2000/cecs5800/Photos/KoraKidsGames.JPG" width="448" height="336" /></a> </p> <p> <strong>A: What feelings are being expressed?<br /> What might have made people feel like this? </strong></p> <p> <a href="http://assets.nydailynews.com/img/2008/02/26/alg_road-rage.jpg"><img src="http://assets.nydailynews.com/img/2008/02/26/alg_road-rage.jpg" width="450" height="300" /></a> <a href="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.cinematical.pl/media/2008/11/happy12.jpg"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.cinematical.pl/media/2008/11/happy12.jpg" width="420" height="330" /></a> <a href="http://www.whoast.com/blog/Worried%20man%20on%20cell%20phone.jpg"><img alt="amanda.jpg image by fourdots1962" src="http://www.whoast.com/blog/Worried%20man%20on%20cell%20phone.jpg" width="400" height="300" /></a> </p> <p><br /> </p></div>Wojtekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00118240525803861208noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6935242063129568447.post-75639917272972009682009-05-31T16:20:00.004+02:002009-05-31T16:33:39.101+02:00CAE SPEAKING PAPER INVALUABLE TIPSHAVE A LOOK HERE: <a href="http://www.splendid-speaking.com/exams/cae_speaking.html">SPLENDID SPEAKING</a> by Peter Travis ( co-founder of <a href="http://www.flo-joe.co.uk/index.htm">Flo-Joe</a>)<br />One of the best sites I have seen so far. JUST WHAT YOU NEED!Wojtekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00118240525803861208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6935242063129568447.post-29964046956186612672009-05-26T00:25:00.002+02:002009-05-26T00:31:01.460+02:00CAE Speaking part2 practice 1SET 1<br /><br />A: Compare 2 of the pictures, and say why the people might need a short break from work, and weather the short break is really important to all the people.<br /><br /><img src="http://jugsi.com/wp-content/uploads/lunch-break.jpg" style="width: 297px; height: 365px;" title="" alt="" /><img src="http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c342/zvoncic/firefighters-lunch-break.jpg" style="width: 387px; height: 306px;" title="" alt="" /><img src="http://cache4.asset-cache.net/xc/200388673-001.jpg?v=1&c=NewsMaker&k=2&d=F60B3522088870775694AC916A677515D4B40B3E875A785D" style="width: 253px; height: 379px;" title="" alt="" /><br /><br />B: Who do you think needs the short break the most?<br /><br /><br />SET 2<br /><br />A: Compare 2 of the pictures and say why it might be important to do these things carefully, and what might happen if great care is not taken.<br /><br /><img src="http://cache2.asset-cache.net/xc/80403020.jpg?v=1&c=NewsMaker&k=2&d=C10BFA1DDE0DDF3CB284E47F4D4862A5E30A760B0D811297" style="width: 431px; height: 287px;" title="" alt="" /><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2192/2133488008_c52bffb421.jpg" style="width: 429px; height: 286px;" title="" alt="" /><img src="http://web.arizona.edu/%7Elascool/pictures/hard%20at%20work.jpg" style="width: 431px; height: 288px;" title="" alt="" /><br /><br />B: Who do you think has the greatest responsibility to do the things carefully?<br /><br /><br />SET 3<br /><br />A: Compare 2 of the pictures and say why their celebration is so special to them, and whether they will remember the celebration for a long time.<br /><br /><br /><img src="http://images.inmagine.com/img/bananastock/bs125/mtn101.jpg" style="" title="" alt="" /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUGmYtMBqnuQvRrypA1SyA70XIYUnc1BtPKeKaiXqrg79y7J5IX2dWg3nRzqrlwyhTSOACv05FPbchA4EIQKGpvxsoYfbyWV_GpcVYFh7eQ-U_k6VLAy-QF2AV4gIY2dFqCrUKc-h7ccwd/s400/CIARA-BIRTHDAY-PARTY-CAKE.jpg" style="" title="" alt="" /><img src="http://www.dirtytackle.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/celticchamps.jpg" style="width: 535px; height: 374px;" title="" alt="" /><br /><br />B: Who do you think will get the greatest long-term pleasure from the celebration?<br /><br /><br />SET 4<br /><br />A: Compare 2 of the pictures and say how easy it is to play music in these situations, and how important it is for the musicians to practise regularly.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.dizzzy.co.uk/dizzzy/crew%20pictures/Abbie_dad_guitar.JPG" style="width: 366px; height: 274px;" title="" alt="" /><img src="http://stevenanddeborah.com/images/rome_street%20band.jpg" style="width: 332px; height: 273px;" title="" alt="" /><img src="http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/06Bi6kJ69v1Z9/610x.jpg" style="width: 388px; height: 270px;" title="" alt="" /><br /><br />B: Who do you think might need the most practice?<br /><br /><br />SET 5<br /><br />A: Compare 2 of the pictures, and say what the people might find hard about having to work in these situations, and what skills they might need to deal with the problems that arise.<br /><br /><img src="http://www4.pictures.gi.zimbio.com/ICAP+Brokers+Continue+Trade+During+Financial+jP3h8o74cxPl.jpg" style="width: 445px; height: 300px;" title="" alt="" /><img src="http://assets.nydailynews.com/img/2009/04/27/alg_airport-problem.jpg" style="width: 383px; height: 298px;" title="" alt="" /><img src="http://images.townnews.com/troyrecord.com/content/articles/2009/03/18/news/doc49c05ea8f3fdf604415631.jpg" style="width: 342px; height: 297px;" title="" alt="" /><br /><br />B: Who do you think might need the greatest skill?<br /><br /><br />SET 6<br /><br />A: Compare 2 of the pictures, and say what you think people might enjoy about taking part in adventure activities like these, and how much skill is involved in doing them.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.codinghorror.com/blog/images/rock-climbing.jpg" style="" title="" alt="" /><img src="http://honeymoonguide.files.wordpress.com/2007/09/white-water-rafting-honeymoon.jpg" style="width: 477px; height: 350px;" title="" alt="" /><img src="http://imagecache01a.allposters.com/images/pic/EUR/2300-2025%7ESkydiving-Free-Fall-Formation-Posters.jpg" style="width: 435px; height: 347px;" title="" alt="" /><br /><br />B: Which activity do you think people find the most exciting?<br /><br />SET 7<br /><br />A: Compare 2 of the pictures, and say in what way you think the animals might be important for the people, and how the people might be feeling.<br /><br /><img src="http://blogs.sun.com/lskrocki/resource/zoo.JPG" style="width: 465px; height: 348px;" title="" alt="" /><img src="http://www.smh.com.au/ffxImage/urlpicture_id_1023864608112_2002/06/26/2706chinadrug.jpg" style="width: 279px; height: 359px;" title="" alt="" /><img src="http://www.oaklandmagazine.com/media/Oakland-Magazine/July-2008/In-the-Mix/HR_ZooTwo.jpg" style="" title="" alt="" /><br /><br />B: Which person do you think will have the longest relationship with the animals?<br /><br /><br />SET 8<br /><br />A: Compare 2 of the pictures, and say why the people might have chosen to travel in this way, and why their journey might be important to them.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.dougmessick.com/Images/Pictures_Images/2003%20-%2010%20-%20Oct%208-13th%20-%20Scott%27s%20Wedding/12%20-%20Scott%27s%20in%20the%20limo_%20and%20headed%20to%20the%20church%20%2010-11-03.jpg" style="width: 453px; height: 300px;" title="" alt="" /><img src="http://www.bikerussia.com/2006/big/IMG_4297.jpg" style="width: 526px; height: 288px;" title="" alt="" /><img src="http://www.stowy.net/stowy/Cruise%20ship%20deck%2011.jpg" style="width: 402px; height: 302px;" title="" alt="" /><br /><br />B: Who do you think will remeber their journey the longest?Wojtekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00118240525803861208noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6935242063129568447.post-68301090551768198012009-05-26T00:17:00.003+02:002009-05-26T00:29:19.555+02:00Wojtekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00118240525803861208noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6935242063129568447.post-90159981689749007652009-05-24T22:48:00.002+02:002009-05-24T22:50:18.223+02:00GRAMMAR ISSUES - Agreement with Linking Verbs<span style="font-size:130%;">In sentences with linking verbs, the verb agrees with the subject, <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">not the predicate</span> <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">nominative.</span><br /><br />Roses and lavender make a lovely bouquet.<span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"> (The verb make agrees with the subjects,</span> <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">roses and lavender, not the predicate nominative, bouquet.)</span><br /><br />Unfortunately, <span style="font-weight: bold;">the result</span> of the discussion <span style="font-weight: bold;">was</span> more disagreements. <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">(The verb was</span> <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">agrees with the subject, result, not the predicate nominative, disagreements.)</span></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;"></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">1. Branches from pine trees (makes, <span style="text-decoration: underline;">make</span>) a good shelter for a garden.<br />2. The accidents (was, <span style="text-decoration: underline;">were</span>) a tragedy.<br />3. The robins’ nest (<span style="text-decoration: underline;">is</span>, are) a mass of twigs.<br />4. The children (seems,<span style="text-decoration: underline;"> seem</span>) the image of their father.<br />5. The bird’s bright wings (was, <span style="text-decoration: underline;">were</span>) a beautiful sight.<br />6. Eyes (appears, <span style="text-decoration: underline;">appear</span>) as a symbol in many artists’ work.<br />7. Before our eyes the piles of lumber (is becoming, <span style="text-decoration: underline;">are becoming</span>) a house.<br />8. The warm, sunny days (was, <span style="text-decoration: underline;">were</span>) a great gift to the tomato plants.<br />9. The dancers’ costumes (was, <span style="text-decoration: underline;">were)</span> a symphony of color.<br />10. The students (is working, <span style="text-decoration: underline;">are working</span>) together as a team.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Continue on your own:</span><br /><br />11. Dishonest people (is, are) a disgrace to any profession.<br />12. Large numbers of books (forms, form) a library.<br />13. The ugly statues (was, were) a monument to bad taste.<br />14. The musicians in their tuxedos (was, were) a sight to behold.<br />15. The focus of a teacher’s life (is, are) the students.<br />16. The lakes in this area (is, are) a haven for many tourists.<br />17. Their different backgrounds (was, were) a great gulf between them.<br />18. The smiling children (seems, seem) the picture of happiness.<br />19. The chorus’s songs (was, were) a delight to the ears.<br />20. They say that the eyes (is, are) a window to the soul.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >Now try with these:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">1. Final exams (was, were) a disaster.<br />2. Peanut butter and bananas (makes, make) a great sandwich.<br />3. Those mountain peaks (is, are) a great challenge to a climber.<br />4. The participants (is keeping, are keeping) their comments to a minimum.<br />5. The thousands of dollars they spent (was, were) a terrible waste.<br />6. The search planes (is, are) the only hope for the stranded hikers.<br />7. The explosion (was caused, were caused) by sparks.<br />8. Stars on a dark night (is, are) a splendid sight.<br />9. The dress (is, are) several inches too short.<br />10. The children’s closets (is, are) a mess.<br />11. Your furtive glances (has betrayed, have betrayed) your guilt.<br />12. Hot dogs and beans (was, were) my father’s favorite meal.<br />13. His twin daughters (is, are) the apple of his eye.<br />14. The stock market (is posting, are posting) great gains today.<br />15. The comedian’s jokes (was, were) a riot.<br />16. The test scores (represents, represent) the students’ best effort.<br />17. The unfair trials (was, were) a travesty of justice.<br />18. The lights twinkling on the water (seems, seem) like stars in the sky.<br />19. Building wooden models of ships (is, are) my hobby.<br />20. Rude remarks from the children (continues, continue) to be a problem.</span>Wojtekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00118240525803861208noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6935242063129568447.post-1672129231540619472009-05-24T14:23:00.002+02:002009-05-24T14:24:28.347+02:00FCE Speaking Part 2 Practice 3Practice SET 1<br /><br />Compare and contrast the photographs saying why you think the people have chosen to travel by taxi.<br /><br /><img src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/tm/2007/galleries/potw141207/JumperCabG_428x465_to_468x312.jpg" style="width: 345px; height: 375px;" title="" alt="" /><br /><img src="http://www.mobileaxept.com/eng/images/stories/taxi_pay.jpg" style="width: 392px; height: 261px;" title="" alt="" /><br /><br /><br />Practice SET 2<br /><br />Compare and contrast the photos and say how the people are feeling about the animals.<br /><br /><img src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2008/12/29/article-1102347-02E7B9EE000005DC-608_634x395.jpg" style="width: 442px; height: 275px;" title="" alt="" /><br /><img src="http://www.travisandpresley.com/Websites/travisandpresley/Images/photo-ourstory.jpg" style="width: 445px; height: 322px;" title="" alt="" /><br /><br /><br />Practice SET 3<br /><br />Compare and contrast the photographs saying what skills are important in each one.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.portadelaideauto.com.au/images/StandardImage/Graham%20Mechanic%20under%20bonnet.jpg" style="" title="" alt="" /><br /><img src="http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/02kj0oM9Su6BD/610x.jpg" style="width: 448px; height: 305px;" title="" alt="" /><br /><br /><br />Practice SET 4<br /><br />Compare and contrast the photos saying what possible problems and benefits the people collecting these things may have.<br /><br /><img src="http://photos.jpgmag.com/325365_46065_01d26f5932_p.jpg" style="width: 516px; height: 345px;" title="" alt="" /><br /><img src="http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b105/smhead/coins/0708coin_giveaway.jpg" style="width: 519px; height: 341px;" title="" alt="" />Wojtekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00118240525803861208noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6935242063129568447.post-87325936685881893962009-05-23T23:08:00.004+02:002009-05-24T13:13:14.730+02:00FCE Speaking Part 2 Practice 2Practice SET 1<br /><br /><br />Compare and contrast the photographs saying why you think the people have chosen to work at home.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.cooltownstudios.com/images/workathome.jpg" style="margin-top: 0pt; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; display: block; text-align: center;" title="" alt="" /><img src="http://i.ehow.com/images/GlobalPhoto/Articles/4622033/assemble-main_Full.jpg" style="margin-top: 0pt; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; display: block; text-align: center; width: 353px; height: 237px;" title="" alt="" /><br /><br /><div style="margin-left: 40px;">Practice SET 2<br /></div><br />Compare and contrast the photographs saying why you think the people have chosen this type of holiday.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.insight2wales.com/images/abseiling-insight2wales.jpg" style="margin-top: 0pt; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; display: block; text-align: center; width: 374px; height: 285px;" title="" alt="" /><img src="http://www.luxurytravelhomepage.com/images/categories/luxurysafari.jpg" style="margin-top: 0pt; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; display: block; text-align: center; width: 374px; height: 247px;" title="" alt="" /><br /><br /><br /><div style="margin-left: 40px;">Practice SET 3<br /></div><br /><br />Compare and contrast the photographs saying what type of person you need to be to do these jobs.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.wsp.krakow.pl/galerie/img8/Ekipa%20za%20sterami%20Jumbo%20Jeta,%20fot.%20Pilot%20747%27s.jpg" style="margin-top: 0pt; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; display: block; text-align: center; width: 391px; height: 260px;" title="" alt="" /><br /><img src="http://westseattleblog.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/secondthomas.jpg" style="margin-top: 0pt; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; display: block; text-align: center; width: 290px; height: 306px;" title="" alt="" /><br /><br /><div style="margin-left: 80px;">Practice SET 4<br /></div><br /><br />Compare and contrast the photographs saying how difficult to make these things are .<br /><br /><br /><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_tVLbkUXhVm8/RsVeqkw-dnI/AAAAAAAABrk/AkbHlPCFSyg/20070811_99.JPG" style="margin: 10px 10px 0pt 0pt; float: left; width: 370px; height: 276px;" title="" alt="" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><img src="http://blog.educastur.es/englishworld/files/2009/02/pancakes.jpg" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; display: block; text-align: center; width: 396px; height: 296px;" title="" alt="" />Wojtekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00118240525803861208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6935242063129568447.post-42327288970725828992009-05-16T23:23:00.004+02:002009-05-23T21:45:15.774+02:00FCE Speaking Part 2 Practice 1<p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 136); text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:16;"><strong><span style="color:Black;">Overview</span></strong></span></p><br /><br /><br /><p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 136); text-align: left;"><span style="color:Black;">In Part 2 you will be given two photographs and asked to compare and contrast them, and give your opinion about them. You will only have one minute to do this. Try to keep talking; avoid any long gaps.The pictures may show anything, but typically the subject will be: a building, a landscape, a town, a person (or a group of people) doing something. You can keep looking at the photographs while you are talking.</span></p><br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><span style="font-size:14;"><strong>Practice SET 1</strong></span></p><br /><br /><br /><p align="center">Compare and contrast the photographs saying why you think the people are reading newspapers.</p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><img style="margin: 5px;" alt="" src="http://www.psfk.com/wp-content/uploads/s19031.gridserver.com/wp-content/uploads/psfk.com/london_papers.jpg" width="430" height="261" /><img style="margin: 5px;" class="" alt="" src="http://pictures.directnews.co.uk/liveimages/job+hunt+square_918_18342646_0_0_7005362_300.jpg" title="" border="" width="200" height="325" /></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><span style="font-size:14;"><strong>Practice SET 2</strong></span></p><br /><br /><br /><p align="center">Compare and contrast the photographs saying how you think the people are feeling about each other.</p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><img style="margin: 5px;" alt="" src="http://img.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2007/07_02/KidsHolidayREX_468x371.jpg" width="296" height="235" /><img style="margin: 5px;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8CXFauHR684DtVOh79oVZXzi2C0Vb8EqGJQT_RIMcOEIXbbToOobqfWHr1TlBD4tT_vxdFAvfkaJ9fQnjNuMUZEMSKcYdzQzju6xqdxADjKCLIoTdCFzdAqIvwFUdb9ehGUECH_eDnM0/s320/Scolding.jpg" width="243" height="243" /></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><span style="font-size:14;"><strong>Practice SET 3</strong></span></p><br /><br /><br /><p align="center">Compare and contrast the photographs saying why you think the people are painting.</p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><img style="margin: 5px;" alt="" src="http://coyotegulchartvillage.com/bueraven_inside.jpg" width="453" height="309" /><img style="margin: 5px;" class="" alt="" src="http://www.cedoburlington.org/neighborhoods/graffiti_removal.JPG" title="" width="477" height="327" /></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><span style="font-size:14;"><strong>Practice SET 4</strong></span></p><br /><br /><br /><p align="center">Compare and contrast the photographs saying how you think the people are feeling about having to wait.</p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><img style="margin: 5px;" alt="" src="http://cache3.asset-cache.net/xc/200239566-003.jpg?v=1&c=NewsMaker&k=2&d=405954B421854B6A96E9948B2BB8565A02EAABC08936AC60" width="446" height="334" /><img style="margin: 5px;" class="" alt="" src="http://travelblog.bcaa.com/wp-content/lost-luggage.jpg" title="" border="" width="335" height="335" /></p>Wojtekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00118240525803861208noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6935242063129568447.post-29059019800860248272009-05-10T22:24:00.002+02:002009-05-10T22:26:52.124+02:00FCE paraphrasing 12<p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Juliet finds driving on the left very strange</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">to</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Juliet's not<span style=""> ___________________ </span>on the left.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">People in my country usually only have a sandwich at lunchtime</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">not</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">They're<span style=""> </span> ______________________a big meal at lunchtime.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">I always get up early, so it's not a problem for me.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">to</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">I'm ________________________ up early.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Drinking a lot of tea is new for me.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">not</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">I'm _______________________ a lot of tea.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">After two or three days, you don't notice the cold weather so much.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">get</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">In two or three days you _______________________ the cold weather.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">We've only had this computer for a couple of weeks.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">getting</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">We're just _________________________ this computer.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">In my country it's unusual to queue for the bus.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">not</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">I'm _____________________________ the bus.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Checking the meaning of words in an English-English dictionary is something new for me.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">not</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">I'm not _________________________ words in an English-English dictionary.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Tamara normally eats salad with every meal.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">to</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Tamara's ______________________ salad with every meal.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">At John's new school he has to wear uniform, which he didn't like at first.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">getting</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">John is ____________________________ a school uniform.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Mandy has more experience than Sally</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">as</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Sally doesn't<span style=""> </span> __________________________ Mandy.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Patrick is certainly more punctual than David</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">not</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">David __________________________ Patrick.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">John isn't as well qualified as Sally.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">than</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Sally ____________________________ John.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Jill's sister is more polite than Jill.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">polite</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Jill isn't ___________________________ sister.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">My interview lasted much longer than yours.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">long</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Your interview ____________________________ mine.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Rod has got more experience than Sue.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">much</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Sue <em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">doesn't have as much</span></em> experience as Rod.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Rachel was more nervous than Sarah.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">not</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Sarah ___________________________ Rachel.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Steve's clothes weren't as smart as Mark's.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">than</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Mark's clothes __________________________ Steve's</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Lynda seemed more reliable than Liz.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">as</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Liz didn't __________________________ Lynda.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Sandra was more enthusiastic than Jeff.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">not</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Jeff ___________________________ Sandra.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">I last went to Paris two years ago.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">not</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">I ________________________ Paris for two years.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Mary is better paid than Neil.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">as</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Neil is __________________________ Mary.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Anne's wearing jeans and a T-shirt, which is unusual for her.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">usually</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Anne _________________________jeans and T-shirt.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Take a heavy sweater with you because it might get very cold this evening.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">in</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Take a heavy sweater ________________________ very cold this evening.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">I usually only have some hot milk and a biscuit for breakfast.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">not</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">I'm __________________________ a big breakfast.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">You might have to carry your bag a long way, so don't take a big one.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">in</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Don't take a big bag ___________________________ carry it a long way.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">I haven't seen Greta since Thursday.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">time</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">The ____________________________ was on Thursday.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">I always go to bed late, so it isn't a problem for me.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">to</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">I'm __________________________ to bed late.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Look. Mick's a vegetarian, but he's eating roast beef.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">usually</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Mick ________________________ roast beef.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Jenny isn't as talkative as Simon.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">talkative</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Simon __________________________ Jenny.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">A shop mended y vacuum cleaner for me.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">had</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">I _____________________________ mended.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Last week, I took my car to a garage to be washed.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">had</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">I ___________________________ last week.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Someone is coming to repair the broken window in my house.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">am</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">I _________________________ in my house repaired.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">A famous designer made her clothes.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">had</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">She ____________________ by a famous designer.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">I'm having my photograph taken on Monday afternoon.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">is</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Someone_______________________ on Monday afternoon.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Her hairdresser has coloured her hair green!</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">had</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">She ___________________________ green.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">A cleaner is coming to clean my house thoroughly.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">am</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">I _____________________ thoroughly cleaned.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">The dentist has filled one of my back teeth.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">have</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">I _________________________ back teeth filled.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Someone's painting my kitchen next week.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">am</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">I ____________________________ next week.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Emma's having her wedding dress made by her mother.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">making</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Her ___________________________ wedding dress for her.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Somebody repaired her bicycle last week.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">had</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">She __________________________ last week.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">He is not strong enough to do that job.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">too</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">He is __________________________ that job.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Keith is not as well qualified as Sue.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">than</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Sue ________________________ Keith.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">I haven't spoken to Mr Williams before.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">time</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">This is the________________________ Mr Williams.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Somebody is repainting our house at the moment.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">are</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">We _________________________ at the moment.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Linda hasn't got as much experience as Graham.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">than</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Graham __________________________ Linda.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">The carpet still needs cleaning, doesn't it?</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">not</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">The carpet has _________________________, has it?</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">One advantage of living in the country is clean air.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">favour</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">One point _________________________ the country is clean air.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">I haven't been to the cinema for two months.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">since</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">It's ____________________________ the cinema.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">It's ages since I saw him last.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">for</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">I __________________________ ages.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">The plane was losing height ready for landing.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">about</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">The plane was ___________________ land.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">It was such a cold day that I wore an overcoat.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">so</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">The day was _________________ I wore an overcoat.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">I met Nigel by chance in the supermarket.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">happened</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">I ________________________ Nigel in the supermarket.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Her voice was so quiet that I couldn't hear her.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">a</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">She had ____________________ that I couldn't hear her.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Daniela should arrive at five o'clock.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">supposed</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Daniela _______________________ at five o'clock.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">That man was so rude that I didn't reply to him</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">a</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">He was _____________________ that I didn't reply to him.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">I would like to learn hang-gliding very much.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">keen</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">I __________________________ learning hang-gliding.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">We had such a dirty room that we checked out of the hotel.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">so</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Our room ______________________ that we checked out of the hotel.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">I was just leaving when the phone rang.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">about</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">I was just ____________________when the phone rang.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">I can't wait to go on holiday.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">forward</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">I'm <em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">______________________________</span></em> on holiday.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">These vegetables are too hard; they're undercooked.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">have</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">These vegetables ________________________ enough.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">This salad is too oily.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">oil</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">There ___________________________ this salad.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">This cake is too stale to eat.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">enough</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">This cake __________________________ to eat.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">This hotel is too expensive for a large family.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">much</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">This hotel ________________________ for a large family.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">There's too little cheese for four people.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">enough</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">There __________________________ for four people.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">There are too few glasses for everyone to have a drink</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">enough</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">We _________________________ for everyone to have a drink.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">It's not warm enough to eat outside this evening.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">too</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">It's ___________________________ this evening.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Joanne doesn't speak loudly enough on the telephone.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">too</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Joanne speaks ____________________ on the telephone.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">There's too little sugar in this coffee for me.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">sweet</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">This coffee _______________________ for me.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">This restaurant is too quiet. Let's try another one.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">people</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">There are____________________ restaurant. Let's try another one.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">They are designing a new machine.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">is</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">A new machine __________________________ designed.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">They have to switch on the photocopier ten minutes before using it.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">be</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">The photocopier ______________________ ten minutes before use.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">A mechanical breakdown caused the delay.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">by</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">The delay _______________________ a mechanical breakdown.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Someone will meet you at the airport.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">be</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">You ___________________<em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">t</span></em> at the airport.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Personal computers are changing our working lives.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">by</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Our working lives ____________________ computers.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">We must keep the ovens at a constant temperature.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">be</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">The ovens ___________________ a constant temperature.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">They freeze the pizzas in batches of twelve.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">are</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">The pizzas _________________ batches of twelve.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Children are going to eat most of our pizzas.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">be</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Most of our pizzas ______________________ by children.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">We put the pizzas in boxes for delivery.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">are</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Our pizzas ____________________<em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">s</span></em> for delivery.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">You can buy either frozen or chilled pizzas in most shops.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">be</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Either frozen or chilled pizzas _______________ in most shops.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">I regret going to bed so late last night.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">wish</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">I _____________________ to bed so late last night.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">If only I had taken that job in the bank.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">regret</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">I ______________________ in the bank.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Jenny regrets not buying some sunscreen before her holiday</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">wishes</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Jenny ____________________ some sunscreen before her holiday.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">He regrets not telling people it was his birthday.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">wishes</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">He ____________________ people it was his birthday.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">I regret not booking the seats in advance.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">only</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">If ____________________ the seats in advance.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">I wish I'd gone on holiday with my friends.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">regret</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">I _____________________ on holiday with my friends.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">They regret ever getting married.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">never</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">They wish ______________________ married.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">If only I had been more careful</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">regret</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">I ___________________<em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">g</span></em> more careful.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">I wish I hadn't gone to that party.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">only</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">If ___________________ to that party.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Larry regrets not telling his girlfriend where he was going.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">had</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Larry ___________________ his girlfriend where he was going.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">I'm sorry that you can't come to the party.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">wish</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">I ____________________ to the party.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">He keeps interrupting me, which is very annoying.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">wish</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">I _____________________ interrupting me, it's very annoying.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Ingrid would like to be able to swim, but she can't.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">wishes</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Ingrid ______________________ swim.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">I hope that you are successful in your exams.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">luck</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">I wish ____________________ in your exams.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">My hair's short and dark, but I'd prefer long blonde hair.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">wish</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">I ____________________ long blonde hair.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Eric doesn't see his grandchildren very often.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">wishes</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Eric __________________________ more often.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">I'm sorry that he won't accept the job he's been offered.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">wish</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">I ______________________ the job he's been offered.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">I have very little patience, which is a shame!</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">were</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">I __________________________ patience.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">This continual rain is making me feel depressed.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">stop</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">I ___________________ raining – it makes me feel depressed.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">The print in this book is so small that I'm afraid I can't read it.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">was</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">I wish the print in this book __________________, then I could read it.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">'What time is it, Frances?' said Tim.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">asked</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Tim _____________________ it was.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">'Are you coming to the party tonight, Joanna?' said Adam</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">if</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Adam asked Joanna ___________________ to the party.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">'Can I borrow your pen please, Sam?' said Jill.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">if</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Jill asked Sam ____________________ pen.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">'Do you know what's on at the cinema, James?' said Pam.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">knew</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Pam asked James if ___________________ on at the cinema.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">'Have you finished your homework yet Robin?' said Sandra.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">whether</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Sandra asked Robin _________________________ homework yet.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Julia asked Phil if he would feed her cat while she was on holiday.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">you</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Julia said: '_____________________ while I'm on holiday?'</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Sara asked me to get her some stamps from the post office.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">me</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Sara said: '________________ some stamps from the post office, please?'</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Karl asked me what time the meeting would end.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">will</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Karl said: '_______________________ end?'</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Elena asked the waitress for another knife.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">could</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Elena said: '_________________________, please?'</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Luke asked Valerie if she had got a car.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">you</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Luke said: '_________________ a car, Valerie?'</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">You should make the most of being in Paris and visit the Eiffel Tower.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">advantage</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">You should ___________________ <span style=""> </span>being in Paris and visit the Eiffel Tower.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">What is your sister's job, Miranda?</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">for</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">What does your ______________________, Miranda?</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">She described the robber to the police.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">description</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">She _____________________ the robber to the police.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">I hope you enjoy yourselves this evening.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">time</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">I hope you ______________________ this evening.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">I want you to try as hard as you can, Jenny.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">do</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">I want _______________________Jenny.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Your are making yourself look ridiculous.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">fool</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">You _____________________ yourself.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">We found it difficult to turn the key in the lock.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">difficulty</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">We ________________________ the key in the lock.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Paul always expected his mother to be there for him.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">granted</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Paul always ___________________________<em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">.</span></em></span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Wait your turn like everybody else.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">queue</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Don't _________________________ like that.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">I thought people wouldn't be able to understand my Spanish.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">myself</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">I thought I wouldn't be able ________________ in Spanish.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Listen carefully to what I am about to say.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">attention</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Please ____________________ what I am about to say.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Someone told the boys it was dangerous to play by the lake.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">warning</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">The boys ______________________ about playing by the lake.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Jenny and her mother argued over the wedding dress.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">argument</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Jenny ___________________ her mother over the wedding dress.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">He finally managed to get over his wife's death.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">terms</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">He succeeded _______________________his wife's death.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">I am going to get very angry in a minute.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">temper</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">I am going to ____________________ in a minute.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">If you don't try hard you won't succeed.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">effort</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Unless _______________________you'll fail.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">What they say doesn't change anything.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">difference</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">It ______________________ what they say.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">She assumed control of the business when her father retried.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">charge</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">She ______________________ the business when her father retired.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">I couldn't speak to her.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">word</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">I wasn't _____________________ with her.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">We should always keep our word.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">promise</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">We should never _______________________<em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">.</span></em></span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">The dog barked all night but we still managed to sleep</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">fact</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Despite ________________ dog barked all night we still managed to sleep.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">The cat can't catch the mice. They run too fast.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">for</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">The mice run too __________________ the cat to catch them.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Cats aren't as expensive to keeps as dogs.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">more</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Dogs are __________________________ cats.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Man is the cruellest of all animals.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">cruel</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">There isn't ________________________ man.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">His canary sings better than mine</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">well</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">My canary doesn't ______________________ his.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Is this the cheapest pet food you've got?</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">anything</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Is _________________________ this pet food?</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Most of the animals survived the hard winter.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">though</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Even _____________________<em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">,</span></em> most of the animals survived.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">I have never seen a dirtier dog.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">ever</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">This must be the _______________________ seen.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">She couldn't afford the Persian cat.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">expensive</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">The Persian cat was ___________________ buy.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">The cheetah is the fastest animal in the world.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">as</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">No animal runs _________________ the cheetah.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">We need to find an imaginative solution.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">need</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">What we _________________ an imaginative solution.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">They didn't let her watch TV.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">allowed</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">She ________________________ TV.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">They have made the castle a tourist attraction.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">turned</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">The castle _____________________ a tourist attraction.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">It hasn't rained for two years.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">time</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">The _______________________ two years ago.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">She wouldn't let me pay the bill</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">paying</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">She __________________________ the bill.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Asthma cases have gone up.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">increase</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">There has ______________________ asthma cases.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Someone must find the answer.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">must</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">The _________________________ by someone.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Do you know the story of Frankenstein?</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">familiar</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Are _______________________ the story of Frankenstein?</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">She didn't find his behaviour at all surprising.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">hardly</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">She ___________________________ his behaviour.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">The air is clean since they fitted filters.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">used</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">The air ________________________ they fitted filters.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Carol: Could you be a little quieter, Peter?</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">such</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Carol told Peter ______________________ noise.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Sue: If I were you Richard, I'd take the train not the bus.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">instead</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Sue advised Richard _____________________ of the bus.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">The doctor advised me to take more exercise.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">idea</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">The doctor told me it ____________________ to take more exercise.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Robin advised me to buy shares in Sony.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">I</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Robin suggested _____________________ shares in Sony.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">He told me it was the first time he had ever flown.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">never</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">'I _________________________,' he said.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Porter: Sorry, the train left five minutes ago.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">missed</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">He told them they _____________________ five minutes.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">'I'll deliver the puppy the day after tomorrow' he promised.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">in</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">He promised to deliver _______________________ time.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">'Do you know where my tennis racquet is, Mum?' Sharon asked.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">seen</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Sharon asked her mother _______________________ tennis racquet.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">In my opinion he should have a haircut.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">am</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">As _______________________ he should have a haircut.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Why do you think you are superior to the people?</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">look</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">What makes _____________________ other people?</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">This room hasn't been cleaned for ages.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">time</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">It's ______________________ cleaned.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">The college has not been redecorated for years. It really needs doing.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">time</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">It's ________________________ redecorated.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">I haven't had anything to eat all day. I'm very hungry.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">had</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">It's time_________________________ to eat.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">It's late, I should have left for home an hour ago.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">high</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">It's ___________________________ for home.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">My car's filthy, I really should have it cleaned.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">time</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">It's _______________________ my car cleaned.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">It's months since James Had his hair cut.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">time</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">It's ___________________________ cut.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Rosemary hasn't been on holiday for years.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">high</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">It's ____________________________ on holiday.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Laws encourage people to use the mother tongue instead of English.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">discourage</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Laws ______________________ English instead of the mother tongue.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">A few centuries ago almost nobody spoke English.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">hardly</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">A few centuries ago English was ______________________ anybody.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">I hope people will understand me.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">make</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">I hope I'll be _________________________ understood.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">I don't like it when foreigners use English expressions in their own language</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">approve</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">I do not ________________________ English expressions in their own language.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">It was hard to live on my own but I eventually became accustomed to it.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">used</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">It took me a long time to _________________________ on my own.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">I don't want to use English all the time.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">rather</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">I _________________________ use English all the time.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Some people can't understand her at all.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">impossible</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Some people find ________________________ her.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">People say the bast way to learn a language is by living in the country.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">supposed</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Living in the country ____________________ the best way to learn a language.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">He speaks too quickly for me to understand him.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">enough</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">He ___________________________for me to understand him.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Knowing English is useful.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">know</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">It ________________________ English.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Bob still finds his new contact lenses uncomfortable.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">used</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Bob ________________________ his new contact lenses yet.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">His mother never let him go out.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">allowed</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">He _______________________ out.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">It doesn't need to be finished this evening</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">finish</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">It isn't ________________________ this evening.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">He has probably spent all the money he won.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">likely</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">He ______________________ spent all the money he won.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">She didn't want to join in the dancing at the party.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">take</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">She didn't want ___________________ the dancing at the party.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">You had better not touch that switch.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">would</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">If I ________________________ touch that switch.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">This fruit is a new experience for me.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">time</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">It is the ________________________ this fruit.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">What a pity I broke the vase.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">wish</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">I ________________________ the vase.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Remind me to water the plants.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">forget</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Don't let __________________________ the plants.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">As I see it, someone should tell her the truth.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">in</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">She should be ________________________opinion.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">I'd rather you didn't smoke in here.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">mind</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Would _______________________ in here, please?</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">The accident injured a lot of people.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">number</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">A ________________________people were injured in the accident.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">It was the most embarrassing experience of my life.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">so</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">I had never ________________________ before.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">If you're not sure how to spell the word, consult the dictionary.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">up</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">You should _____________________ a dictionary if you're not sure how to spell it.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Very few people knew the full story.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">known</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">The full story _______________________ many people.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">As the town council's representative I would like to welcome you</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">behalf</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">I would like to welcome you ________________ the town council.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">You'd better take an umbrella. It might rain this evening.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">case</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Take an umbrella _______________________ this evening.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">We couldn't find a parking space anywhere.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">find</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">We weren't _________________________ to park.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">We were given the directions by Paul</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">who</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">It was ___________________________ the directions.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">They were still walking after two hours.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">been</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">They ___________________________ two hours.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">The bus comes in two hours; let's have lunch before it comes.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">in</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">The bus comes in two hours; ______________________, let's have lunch.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">The job was too badly paid so she didn't accept it.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">down</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">She _________________________ it was too badly paid.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">I took my overcoat but it wasn't necessary.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">taken</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">I _________________________ my overcoat.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">The film wasn't worth seeing.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">time</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">The film was a complete _____________________<em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">.</span></em></span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Who is looking after the children this afternoon?</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">of</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Who is _____________________ the children this afternoon?</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">They climbed out of the room using some bedsheets.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">means</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">They climbed out of the room ________________ some bedsheets.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">They believe the criminal has had plastic surgery.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">believed</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">The criminal _______________________ plastic surgery.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">He plays the piano and sings beautifully too.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">play</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Not ________________________ piano but he also sings beautifully.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">I last saw him at my 21<span style="position: relative; top: -4pt;">st</span><span style=""> </span>birthday party.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">since</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">I __________________________ my 21<span style="position: relative; top: -4pt;">st</span><span style=""> </span>birthday party.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">'You've broken my radio, Frank!' said Jane</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">accused</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Jane ________________________ her radio.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">My car really needs to be repaired soon.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">must</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">I really _____________________ repaired soon.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Susan regrets not buying that house.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">wishes</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Susan ______________________ that house.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">I could never have succeeded without your help.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">you</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">I could never have succeeded _____________________ me.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">I thought I might run out of cash, so I took my cheque-book with me.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">case</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">I took my cheque-book with me _______________________out of cash.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Linda's plans for a picnic have been spoilt by the weather.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">fallen</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Linda's plans for a picnic ___________________ because of the weather.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">The bread was too stale to eat.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">fresh</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">The bread _______________________to eat.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Perhaps Brian went home early.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">may</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Brian ________________________ home early.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">I can't possibly work in all this noise!</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">impossible</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">It ___________________________ work in all this noise!</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">The thief suddenly realised that the police were watching him.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">watched</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">The thief suddenly realised that ________________________ by the police.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Do you know who this coat belong to?</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">coat</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Do you know ________________________ is?</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Jo's training accident meant she couldn't take part in the race.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">prevented</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Jo's training accident _________________________ part in the race.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Cyclists are not allowed to ride on the station platform.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">must</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Bicycles _______________________on the station platform.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">To Alan's amazement, the passport office was closed when he arrived.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">find</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Alan ____________________________ that the passport office closed when he arrived.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">It isn't necessary to book tickets for the show in advance.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">need</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">You ___________________________ tickets for the show in advance.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">The top shelf was so high that the children couldn't reach it.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">high</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">The top shelf was ______________________ the children to reach.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">I'd prefer you to start work next week.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">rather</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">I __________________________ work next week.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">'Do you remember what you have to do?' the teacher asked her class.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">what</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">The teacher asked her class if __________________________ to do.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">It's unusual for Carol to get angry with her staff.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">hardly</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Carol ___________________________ temper with her staff.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">There is no ice-cream left.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">run</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">We ______________________ ice-cream.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">There's no point in asking George to help.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">worth</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">It ______________________ George to help.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Although he overslept, Clive wasn't late for work.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">up</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Despite _____________________ on time, Clive wasn't late for work.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">I haven't eaten food like this before.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">time</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">This is the______________________ this sort of food.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">After a long chase, the police finally succeeded in arresting the thief.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">to</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">After a long chase, the police finally _____________________ the thief.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Diane was supposed to write to her parents last week.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">ought</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Diane _____________________ to her parents last week.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">His handwriting is so small I can hardly read it.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">such</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">He has ________________________ I can hardly read it.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Somebody has to pick the visitors up from the airport.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">up</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">The visitors ______________________ from the airport.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">I wish I hadn't told him what we were planning to do this evening.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">regret</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">I regret ________________________ for this evening.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Everyone was surprised to see Geoff leave the party early.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">surprise</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">To ___________________________ the party early.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">All the witnesses said the accident was my fault.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">blame</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">All the witnesses said that _______________________ the accident.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Harry couldn't get his parents' permission to buy a motorbike.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">let</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Harry's parent __________________________ a motorbike.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">'Where have I left my sunglasses, David?' asked Susan</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">where</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Susan asked David where ____________________sunglasses.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">John's behaviour at the party annoyed me.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">John</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">I was annoyed by ___________________at the party.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">It's a good thing you lent me the money or I would have had to go to the bank.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">you</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">I would have had to go to the bank __________________me the money.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Matthew didn't listen to what his doctor told him.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">notice</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Matthew took _________________________ advice.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Sheila had to finish the account and write several letters as well.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">addition</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Sheila had to finish the accounts _____________________ several letters.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">When he was a child in Australia, Mark went swimming almost every day.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">his</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Mark went swimming almost every day ___________________ in Australia.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Let's visit the museum this afternoon.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">go</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Why ______________________ the museum this afternoon?</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Valerie fount it hard to concentrate on her book because of the noise.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">difficulty</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Valerie _______________________ her book because of the noise.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Why don't you wait by the phone box, Brenda?' said Laslie.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Brenda</span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" lang="EN-GB">Leslie suggested _______________________ by the phone box.</span></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p></p><br /><p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 136); text-align: right;"></p>Wojtekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00118240525803861208noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6935242063129568447.post-86920926091633857272009-05-10T11:54:00.003+02:002009-05-10T12:19:09.082+02:00DICTIONARY OF IDIOMS<p><br /><br />~ A ~ <br /><br /><br /><br />A bit much <br /><br /> If something is excessive or annoying, it is a bit much. <br /><br />A day late and a dollar short <br /><br /> (USA) If something is a day late and a dollar short, it is too little, too late. <br /><br />A fool and his money are soon parted <br /><br /> This idiom means that people who aren't careful with their money spend it quickly. 'A fool and his money are easily parted' is an alternative form of the idiom. =<br />A little bird told me <br /><br /> If someone doesn't want to say where they got some information from, they can say that a little bird told them. <br /><br />A OK <br /><br /> If things are A OK, they are absolutely fine. <br /><br />A penny for your thoughts <br /><br /> This idiom is used as a way of asking someone what they are thinking about. <br /><br />A penny saved is a penny earned <br /><br /> This means that we shouldn't spend or waste money, but try to save it. <br /><br />A poor man's something <br /><br /> Something or someone that can be compared to something or someone else, but is not as good is a poor man's version; <br /><br /> a writer who uses lots of puns but isn't very funny would be a poor man's Oscar Wilde. <br /><br />A pretty penny <br /><br /> If something costs a pretty penny, it is very expensive. <br /><br />A rising tide lifts all boats <br /><br /> This idiom, coined by John F Kennedy, describes the idea that when an economy is performing well, all people will <br /><br /> benefit from it. <br /><br />A rolling stone gathers no moss <br /><br /> People say this to mean that that a go-getter type person is more successful than a person not doing any thing. <br /><br />A steal <br /><br /> If something is a steal, it costs much less than it is really worth. <br /><br />A1 <br /><br /> If something is A1, it is the very best or finest. <br /><br />Abide by a decision <br /><br /> If you abide by a decision, you accept it and comply with it, even though you might disagree with it. <br /><br /><br />About face <br /><br /> If someone changes their mind completely, this is an about face. It can be used when companies, governments, etc, <br /><br /> change their position on an issue. <br /><br />Above board <br /><br /> If things are done above board, they are carried out in a legal and proper manner. <br /><br />Absence makes the heart grow fonder <br /><br /> This idiom means that when people are apart, their love grows stronger. <br /><br />Accident waiting to happen <br /><br /> If something is an accident waiting to happen, there's definitely going to be an accident or it's bound to go wrong. <br /><br /> ('Disaster waiting to happen' is also used.) <br /><br />Ace up your sleeve <br /><br /> If you have an ace up your sleeve, you have something that will give you an advantage that other people don't know <br /><br /> about. <br /><br />Achilles' heel <br /><br /> A person's weak spot is their Achilles' heel. <br /><br />Acid test <br /><br /> An acid test is something that proves whether something is good, effective, etc, or not. <br /><br />Across the board <br /><br /> If something applies to everybody, it applies across the board. <br /><br /><br />Across the pond</p><br /><p><br /> (UK) This idiom means on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean, used to refer to the US or the UK depending on the <br /><br /> speaker's location. <br /><br />Actions speak louder than words <br /><br /> This idiom means that what people actually do is more important than what they say- people can promise things but <br /><br /> then fail to deliver. <br /><br />Add fuel to the fire <br /><br /> If people add fuel to the fire, they make a bad situation worse. <br /><br />Add insult to injury <br /><br /> When people add insult to injury, they make a bad situation even worse. <br /><br />After your own heart <br /><br /> A person after your own heart thinks the same way as you. <br /><br />Against the clock <br /><br /> If you do something against the clock, you are rushed and have very little time to do it. <br /><br />Against the grain <br /><br /> If doing something goes against the grain, you're unwilling to do it because it contradicts what you believe in, but you <br /><br /> have no real choice. <br /><br />Age before beauty <br /><br /> When this idiom is used, it is a way of allowing an older person to do something first, though often in a slightly sarcastic <br /><br /> way. <br /><br />Agony aunt <br /><br /> An agony aunt is a newspaper columnist who gives advice to people having problems, especially personal ones. <br /><br />Ahead of the pack <br /><br /> If you are ahead of the pack, you have made more progress than your rivals. <br /><br />Ahead of time <br /><br /> If something happens ahead of time, it happens early or before the set time. <br /><br />Albatross around your neck <br /><br /> An albatross around, or round, your neck is a problem resulting from something you did that stops you from being <br /><br /> successful. <br /><br />Alike as two peas <br /><br /> If people or things are as alike as two peas, they are identical. <br /><br />All along <br /><br /> If you have known or suspected something all along, then you have felt this from the beginning. <br /><br />All and sundry <br /><br /> This idiom is a way of emphasising 'all', like saying 'each and every one'. <br /><br />All ears <br /><br /> If someone says they're all ears, they are very interested in hearing about something. <br /><br />All eyes on me <br /><br /> If all eyes are on someone, then everyone is paying attention to them. <br /><br />All fingers and thumbs <br /><br /> If you're all fingers and thumbs, you are too excited or clumsy to do something properly that requires manual dexterity. <br /><br /> 'All thumbs' is an alternative form of the idiom. <br /><br />All hat, no cattle <br /><br /> (USA) When someone talks big, but cannot back it up, they are all hat, no cattle. <br /><br />All heart <br /><br /> Someone who is all heart is very kind and generous. <br /><br />All hell broke loose <br /><br /> When all hell breaks loose, there is chaos, confusion and trouble. <br /><br />All in your head <br /><br /> If something is all in your head, you have imagined it and it is not real. <br /><br />All mod cons <br /><br /> If something has all mod cons, it has all the best and most desirable features. It is an abbreviation of 'modern <br /><br /> convenience' that was used in house adverts. <br /><br />All mouth and trousers <br /><br /> (UK) Someone who's all mouth and trousers talks or boasts a lot but doesn't deliver. 'All mouth and no trousers' is also <br /><br /> used, though this is a corruption of the original. <br /><br />All of the above <br /><br /> This idiom can be used to mean everything that has been said or written, especially all the choices or possibilities. <br /><br /><br />All over the map <br /><br /> (USA) If something like a discussion is all over the map, it doesn't stick to the main topic and goes off on tangents. <br /><br />All over the place <br /><br /> If something is completely disorganised or confused, it is all over the place. <br /><br />All over the shop <br /><br /> If something is completely disorganised or confused, it is all over the shop. <br /><br />All roads lead to Rome <br /><br /> This means that there can be many different ways of doing something. <br /><br />All set <br /><br /> If you're all set, you are ready for something. <br /><br />All skin and bone <br /><br /> If a person is very underweight, they are all skin and bone, or bones. <br /><br />All square <br /><br /> If something is all square, nobody has an advantage or is ahead of the others. <br /><br />All talk and no trousers <br /><br /> (UK) Someone who is all talk and no trousers, talks about doing big, important things, but doesn't take any action. <br /><br />All that glitters is not gold <br /><br /> This means that appearances can be deceptive and things that look or sound valuable can be worthless. ('All that <br /><br /> glistens is not gold' is an alternative.) <br /><br />All the rage <br /><br /> If something's all the rage, it is very popular or fashionable at the moment. <br /><br />All the tea in China <br /><br /> If someone won't do something for all the tea in China, they won't do it no matter how much money they are offered. <br /><br />All your eggs in one basket <br /><br /> If you put all your eggs in one basket, you risk everything at once, instead of trying to spread the risk. (This is often used as a negative imperative- 'Don't put all your eggs in one basket'. 'Have your eggs in one basket' is also used.) <br /><br />All's fair in love and war <br /><br /> This idiom is used to say that where there is conflict, people can be expected to behave in a more vicious way. <br /><br />All-singing, all-dancing <br /><br /> If something's all-singing, all-dancing, it is the latest version with the most up-to-date features. <br /><br />Alter ego <br /><br /> An alter ego is a very close and intimate friend. It is a Latin phrase that literally means 'other self'. <br /><br />Always a bridesmaid, never a bride <br /><br /> If someone is always a bridesmaid, never a bride, they never manage to fulfill their ambition- they get close, but never <br /><br /> manage the recognition, etc, they crave. <br /><br />Ambulance chaser <br /><br /> A lawyer who encourages people who have been in accidents or become ill to sue for compensation is an ambulance chaser. <br /><br />Amen <br /><br /> Some use 'Amen' or 'Amen to that' as a way of agreeing with something that has just been said. <br /><br />An old flame <br /><br /> An old flame is a person that somebody has had an emotional, usually passionate, relationship with, who is still looked on fondly and with affection. <br /><br />And all that jazz <br /><br /> This idiom means that everything related or similar is included. <br /><br />Answers on a postcard <br /><br /> This idiom can be used to suggest that the answer to something is very obvious or that the person would really like to <br /><br /> hear what people think. <br /><br />Ants in your pants <br /><br /> If someone has ants in their pants, they are agitated or excited about something and can't keep still. <br /><br />Any port in a storm <br /><br /> This means that in an emergency any solution will do, even one that would normally be unacceptable. <br /><br />Any Tom, Dick or Harry <br /><br /> If something could be done by any Tom, Dick or Harry, it could be done by absolutely anyone. <br /><br />Apple of your eye <br /><br /> Something or, more often, someone that is very special to you is the 'apple of your' eye. <br /><br />Apron strings <br /><br /> A man who is tied to a woman's apron strings is excessively dependent on her, especially when it is his mother's apron <br /><br /> strings.<br /> <br /><br />Argue the toss <br /><br /> (UK) If you argue the toss, you refuse to accept a decision and argue about it. <br /><br />Arm and a leg <br /><br /> If something costs an arm and a leg, it is very expensive. <br /><br />Armchair critic <br /><br /> An armchair critic is someone who offers advice but never shows that they could actually do any better. <br /><br />Armed to the teeth <br /><br /> If people are armed to the teeth, they have lots of weapons. <br /><br />Arrow in the quiver <br /><br /> An arrow in the quiver is a strategy or option that could be used to achieve your objective. <br /><br />As a rule <br /><br /> If you do something as a rule, then you usually do it. <br /><br />As cold as ice <br /><br /> This idiom can be used to describe a person who does not show any emotion. <br /><br />As cold as stone <br /><br /> If something is as cold as stone, it is very cold. If a person is as cold as stone, they are unemotional. <br /><br />As cool as a cucumber <br /><br /> If someone is as cool as a cucumber, they don't get worried by anything. <br /><br />As mad as a hatter <br /><br /> This simile means that someone is crazy or behaves very strangely. In the past many people who made hats went insane because they had a lot of contact with mercury. <br /><br />As neat as a new pin <br /><br /> This idiom means tidy and clean. <br /><br />As one man <br /><br /> If people do something as one man, then they do it at exactly the same time or in complete agreement. <br /><br />As the actress said to the bishop <br /><br /> (UK) This idiom is used to highlight a sexual reference, deliberate or accidental. <br /><br />As the crow flies <br /><br /> This idiom is used to describe the shortest possible distance between two places. <br /><br />As you sow, so shall you reap <br /><br /> This means that if you do bad things to people, bad things will happen to you, or good things if you do good things. <br /><br />Asleep at the switch <br /><br /> If someone is asleep at the switch, they are not doing their job or taking their responsibilities very carefully. 'Asleep at <br /><br /> the wheel' is an alternative. <br /><br />Asleep at the wheel <br /><br /> If someone is asleep at the wheel, they are not doing their job or taking their responsibilities very carefully. 'Asleep at <br /><br /> the switch' is an alternative. <br /><br />At a loose end <br /><br /> (UK) If you are at a loose end, you have spare time but don't know what to do with it. <br /><br />At arm's length <br /><br /> (India) If something is at arm's length, it is very close to you. <br /><br />At death's door <br /><br /> If someone looks as if they are at death's door, they look seriously unwell and might actually be dying. <br /><br />At each other's throats <br /><br /> If people are at each other's throats, they are fighting, arguing or competing ruthlessly. <br /><br />At full tilt <br /><br /> If something is at full tilt, it is going or happening as fast or as hard as possible. <br /><br />At loggerheads <br /><br /> If people are at loggerheads, they are arguing and can't agree on anything. <br /><br />At loose ends <br /><br /> (USA) If you are at a loose end, you have spare time but don't know what to do with it. <br /><br />At odds <br /><br /> If you are at odds with someone, you cannot agree with them and argue. <br /><br />At sea <br /><br /> If things are at sea, or all at sea, they are disorganized and chaotic. <br /><br />At the coalface <br /><br /> If you work at the coalface, you deal with the real problems and issues, rather than sitting in a office discussing things in <br /><br /> a detached way. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />At the drop of a hat <br /><br /> If you would do something at the drop of a hat, you'd do it immediately. <br /><br />At the end of the day <br /><br /> This is used to mean 'in conclusion' or 'when all is said and done'. <br /><br />At the end of your rope <br /><br /> (USA) If you are at the end of your rope, you are at the limit of your patience or endurance. <br /><br />At the end of your tether <br /><br /> (UK) If you are at the end of your tether, you are at the limit of your patience or endurance. <br /><br />At your wit's end <br /><br /> If you're at your wit's end, you really don't know what you should do about something, no matter how hard you think <br /><br /> about it. <br /><br />At your wits' end <br /><br /> If you are at your wits' end, you have no idea what to do next and are very frustrated. <br /><br />Average Joe <br /><br /> An average Joe is an ordinary person without anything exceptional about them. <br /><br />Avowed intent <br /><br /> If someone makes a solemn or serious promise publicly to attempt to reach a certain goal, this is their avowed intent. <br /><br />Awe inspiring <br /><br /> Something or someone that is awe inspiring amazes people in a slightly frightening but positive way. <br /><br />AWOL <br /><br /> AWOL stands for "Absent Without Leave", or "Absent Without Official Leave". Orignially a military term, it is used when <br /><br /> someone has gone missing without telling anyone or asking for permission. <br /><br />Axe to grind <br /><br /> If you have an axe to grind with someone or about something, you have a grievance, a resentment and you want to get <br /><br /> revenge or sort it out. In American English, it is 'ax'. <br /><br /><br /><br /> ~ B ~ <br /><br /><br /><br />Babe in arms <br /><br /> A babe in arms is a very young child, or a person who is very young to be holding a position. <br /><br />Babe in the woods <br /><br /> A babe in the woods is a naive, defenceless, young person. <br /><br />Baby boomer <br /><br /> (USA) A baby boomer is someone born in the years after the end of the Second World War, a period when the <br /><br /> population was growing very fast. <br /><br />Back burner <br /><br /> If an issue is on the back burner, it is being given low priority. <br /><br />Back foot <br /><br /> (UK) If you are on your back foot, you are at a disadvantage and forced to be defensive of your position. <br /><br />Back number <br /><br /> Something that's a back number is dated or out of fashion. <br /><br />Back the wrong horse <br /><br /> If you back the wrong horse, you give your support to the losing side in something. <br /><br />Back to back <br /><br /> If things happen back to back, they are directly one after another. <br /><br />Back to square one <br /><br /> If you are back to square one, you have to start from the beginning again. <br /><br />Back to the drawing board <br /><br /> If you have to go back to the drawing board, you have to go back to the beginning and start something again. <br /><br />Back to the salt mine <br /><br /> If someone says they have to go back to the salt mine, they have to return to work. <br /><br />Backseat driver <br /><br /> A backseat driver is an annoying person who is fond of giving advice to the person performing a task or doing <br /><br /> something, especially when the advice is either wrong or unwelcome. <br /><br />Bad blood <br /><br /> If people feel hate because of things that happened in the past, there is bad blood between them. <br /><br />Bad egg <br /><br /> A person who cannot be trusted is a bad egg. Good egg is the opposite. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Bad shape <br /><br /> If something's in bad shape, it's in bad condition. If a person's in bad shape, they are unfit or unhealthy. <br /><br />Bad taste in your mouth <br /><br /> If something leaves you with a bad taste in your mouth, you feel there is something wrong or bad about it. <br /><br />Bad workers always blame their tools <br /><br /> "A bad worker always blames their tools" - If somebody does a job badly or loses in a game and claims that they were <br /><br /> let down by their equipment, you can use this to imply that this was not the case. <br /><br />Bag of nerves <br /><br /> If someone is a bag of nerves, they are very worried or nervous. <br /><br />Baker's dozen <br /><br /> A Baker's dozen is 13 rather than 12. <br /><br />Bald as a coot <br /><br /> A person who is completely bald is as bald as a coot. <br /><br />Ball is in your court <br /><br /> If the ball is in your court, it is up to you to make the next decision or step. <br /><br />Ballpark figure <br /><br /> A ballpark figure is a rough or approximate number (guesstimate) to give a general idea of something, like a rough <br /><br /> estimate for a cost, etc. <br /><br /><br /><br />Banana republic <br /><br /> Banana republic is a term used for small countries that are dependent on a single crop or resource and governed badly <br /><br /> by a corrupt elite. <br /><br />Banana skin <br /><br /> (UK) A banana skin is something that is an embarrassment or causes problems. <br /><br />Bandit territory <br /><br /> An area or an industry, profession, etc, where rules and laws are ignored or flouted is bandit territory. <br /><br />Baptism of fire <br /><br /> A baptism of fire was a soldier's first experience of shooting. Any unpleasant experience undergone, usually where it is <br /><br /> also a learning experience, is a baptism of fire. <br /><br />Bar fly <br /><br /> A bar fly is a person who spends a lot of time drinking in different bars and pubs. <br /><br />Bare your heart <br /><br /> If you bare your heart to someone, you tell them you personal and private feelings. ('Bare your soul' is an alternative <br /><br /> form of the idiom.) <br /><br />Barefaced liar <br /><br /> A barefaced liar is one who displays no shame about lying even if they are exposed. <br /><br />Bark is worse than their bite <br /><br /> Someone who's bark is worse than their bite may well get angry and shout, but doesn't take action. <br /><br />Barking up the wrong tree <br /><br /> If you are barking up the wrong tree, it means that you have completely misunderstood something or are totally wrong. <br /><br />Barkus is willing <br /><br /> This idiom means that someone is willing to get married. <br /><br />Barrack-room lawyer <br /><br /> (UK) A barrack-room lawyer is a person who gives opinions on things they are not qualified to speak about. <br /><br />Barrel of laughs <br /><br /> If someone's a barrel of laughs, they are always joking and you find them funny. <br /><br />Basket case <br /><br /> If something is a basket case, it is so bad that it cannot be helped. <br /><br />Bat an eyelid <br /><br /> If someone doesn't bat an eyelid, they don't react or show any emotion when surprised, shocked, etc. <br /><br />Batten down the hatches <br /><br /> If you batten down the hatches, you prepare for the worst that could happen to you. <br /><br />Battle of nerves <br /><br /> A battle of nerves is a situation where neither side in a conflict or dispute is willing to back down and is waiting for the <br /><br /> other side to weaken. ('A war of nerves' is an alternative form.) <br /><br />Be that as it may <br /><br /> Be that as it may is an expression which means that, while you are prepared to accept that there is some truth in what <br /><br /> the other person has just said, it's not going to change your opinions in any significant manner. <br /><br /><br /><br />land <br /><br /><br /><br />Be up the spout <br /><br /> (UK) If a woman is up the spout, she is pregnant. <br /><br />Bean counter <br /><br /> A bean counter is an accountant. <br /><br />Bear fruit <br /><br /> If something bears fruit, it produces positive results. <br /><br />Bear the brunt <br /><br /> People who bear the brunt of something endure the worst of something bad. <br /><br />Beard the lion in his own den <br /><br /> If you confront a powerful or dangerous rival on their territory, you are bearding the lion in his own den. <br /><br />Beat about the bush <br /><br /> If someone doesn't say clearly what they mean and try to make it hard to understand, they are beating about (around) <br /><br /> the bush. <br /><br />Beat someone to the draw <br /><br /> (USA) If you beat someone to the draw, you do something before they do. <br /><br /><br /><br />Beat swords into ploughshares <br /><br /> If people beat swords into ploughshares, they spend money on humanitarian purposes rather than weapons. (The American English spelling is 'plowshares') <br /><br />Beat the daylights out of someone <br /><br /> If someone beats the daylights out of another person, they hit them repeatedly. ('Knock' can also be used and it can be made even stronger by saying 'the living daylights'.) <br /><br />Beat to the punch <br /><br /> If you beat someone to the punch, you act before them and gain an advantage.<br /><br />Beating a dead horse <br /><br /> (USA) If someone is trying to convince people to do or feel something without any hope of succeeding, they're beating <br /><br /> a dead horse. This is used when someone is trying to raise interest in an issue that no-one supports anymore; beating a <br /><br /> dead horse will not make it do any more work. <br /><br />Beauty is in the eye of the beholder <br /><br /> Beauty is in the eye of the beholder means that different people will find different things beautiful and that the <br /><br /> differences of opinion don't matter greatly. <br /><br />Beauty is only skin deep <br /><br /> This idiom means that appearances can be deceptive and something that seems or looks good may turn out to be bad. <br /><br />Beck and call <br /><br /> Someone who does everything for you, no matter when you ask, is at your beck and call. <br /><br />Bedroom eyes <br /><br /> Someone with bedroom eyes has a sexy look in their eyes. <br /><br />Bee in your bonnet <br /><br /> If someone is very excited about something, they have a bee in their bonnet. <br /><br />Bee's Knees <br /><br /> If something is the bee's knees, it's outstanding or the best in its class. <br /><br />Beeline for <br /><br /> If you make a beeline for a place, you head there directly. <br /><br />Been in the wars <br /><br /> (UK) If someone has been in the wars, they have been hurt or look as if they have been in a struggle. <br /><br />Beer and skittles <br /><br /> (UK) People say that life is not all beer and skittles, meaning that it is not about self-indulgence and pleasure. <br /><br />Before the ink is dry <br /><br /> <p>If people make an agreement or contract and then the situation changes very quickly, it changes before the ink is <br /><br /> dry.</p> <br /><br />Before you can say Jack Robinson <br /><br /> <p>The term Jack Robinson represents 'a short amount of time'. </p><p>When you do something before you can say <br /><br /> Jack Robinson, you do it very quickly.</p> <br /><br />Beg the question <br /><br /> In philosophy "to beg the question" is to assume something to be true that has not yet been proved. I have seen the <br /><br /> idiom also to mean that a question is crying out to be asked. <br /><br />Beggars can't be choosers <br /><br /> This idiom means that people who are in great need must accept any help that is offered, even if it is not a complete <br /><br /> solution to their problems. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> <br /><br />Behind bars <br /><br /> When someone is behind bars, they are in prison. <br /><br />Behind closed doors <br /><br /> If something happens away from the public eye, it happens behind closed doors. <br /><br />Behind someone's back <br /><br /> If you do something behind someone's back, you do it without telling them. <br /><br />Behind the times <br /><br /> Someone that is behind the times is old-fashioned and has ideas that are regarded as out-dated. <br /><br />Believe in the hereafter <br /><br /> A belief in the hereafter is a belief in the afterlife, or life after death. It is, therefore, associated with religions and the <br /><br /> soul's journey to heaven or to hell, whichever way being just deserts for the person based on how they led their life. <br /><br />Bells and whistles <br /><br /> Bells and whistles are attractive features that things like computer programs have, though often a bit unnecessary. <br /><br />Bells on <br /><br /> (USA) <p>To be somewhere with bells on means to arrive there happy and delighted to attend.</p> <br /><br />Belly up <br /><br /> If things go belly up, they go badly wrong. <br /><br />Below par <br /><br /> If something isn't up to standard, or someone isn't feeling or doing very well, they are below par. <br /><br />Below the belt <br /><br /> If someone says something that is cruel or unfair, it is below the belt, like the illegal punches in boxing. <br /><br />Belt and braces <br /><br /> (UK) Someone who wears belt and braces is very cautious and takes no risks. <br /><br />Belt and suspenders <br /><br /> (USA) Someone who wears belt and suspenders is very cautious and takes no risks. <br /><br />Bend over backwards <br /><br /> If someone bends over backwards, they do everything they can to help someone. <br /><br />Beside the point <br /><br /> If something is beside the point, it's not relevant to the matter being discussed or considered. <br /><br />Beside yourself <br /><br /> If you are beside yourself, you are extremely angry. <br /><br />Best thing since sliced bread <br /><br /> If something is the best thing since sliced bread, it is excellent. ('The greatest thing since sliced bread' is also used.) <br /><br />Bet your bottom dollar <br /><br /> (USA) If you can bet your bottom dollar on something, you can be absolutely sure about it. <br /><br />Better late than never <br /><br /> This idiom suggests that doing something late is better than not doing it at all. <br /><br />Better safe than sorry <br /><br /> This idiom is used to recommend being cautious rather than taking a risk. <br /><br />Better than a stick in the eye <br /><br /> If something is better than a stick in the eye, it isn't very good, but it is better than nothing. <br /><br />Better the devil you know <br /><br /> This is the shortened form of the full idiom, 'better the devil you know than the devil you don't', and means that it is <br /><br /> often better to deal with someone or something you are familiar with and know, even if they are not ideal, than take a <br /><br /> risk with an unknown person or thing. <br /><br />Between a rock and a hard place <br /><br /> If you are caught between a rock and a hard place, you are in a position where you have to choose between unpleasant <br /><br /> alternatives, and your choice might cause you problems; you will not be able to satisfy everyone. <br /><br />Between the devil and the deep blue sea <br /><br /> If you are caught between the devil and the deep blue sea, you are in a dilemma; a difficult choice. <br /><br />Between the lines <br /><br /> If you read between the lines, you find the real message in what you're reading or hearing, a meaning that is not <br /><br /> available from a literal interpretation of the words. <br /><br />Between you and me and the cat's whiskers <br /><br /> This idiom is used when telling someone something that you want them to keep secret. <br /><br />Beyond a shadow of a doubt <br /><br /> If something's beyond a shadow of a doubt, then absolutely no doubts remain about it. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Beyond belief <br /><br /> If people behave in such a way that you find it almost impossible to accept that they actually did it, then you can say <br /><br /> that their behaviour was beyond belief. <br /><br /><br /><br />Beyond our ken <br /><br /> If something's beyond your ken, it is beyond your understanding. <br /><br />Beyond the pale <br /><br /> If something's beyond the pale, it is too extreme to be acceptable morally or socially. <br /><br />Big Apple <br /><br /> (USA) The Big Apple is New York. <br /><br />Big bucks <br /><br /> If someone is making big bucks, they are making a lot of money. <br /><br />Big cheese <br /><br /> The big cheese is the boss. <br /><br />Big fish <br /><br /> An important person in a company or an organisation is a big fish. <br /><br />Big fish in a small pond <br /><br /> A big fish in a small pond is an important person in a small place or organisation. <br /><br />Big hitter <br /><br /> A big hitter is someone who commands a lot of respect and is very important in their field. <br /><br />Big nose <br /><br /> If someone has a big nose, it means they are excessively interested in everyone else's business. <br /><br />Big picture <br /><br /> The big picture of something is the overall perspective or objective, not the fine detail. <br /><br />Big time <br /><br /> This can be used to with the meaning 'very much'- if you like something big time, you like it a lot. <br /><br />Bigger fish to fry <br /><br /> If you aren't interested in something because it isn't important to you and there are more important things for you to <br /><br /> do, you have bigger fish to fry. <br /><br />Bird in the hand is worth two in the bush <br /><br /> 'A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush' is a proverb meaning that it is better to have something that is certain than <br /><br /> take a risk to get more, where you might lose everything. <br /><br />Bird's eye view <br /><br /> If you have a bird's eye view of something, you can see it perfectly clearly. <br /><br />Bird-brain <br /><br /> Someone who has a bird-brain, or is bird-brained, is stupid. <br /><br />Birds and the bees <br /><br /> If a child is taught about the birds and the bees, they are taught about sex. <br /><br />Birds of a feather flock together <br /><br /> This idiom means that people with similar interests will stick together. <br /><br />Birthday suit <br /><br /> If you are in your birthday suit, you are naked. <br /><br />Bit between your teeth <br /><br /> If you take or have the bit between your teeth, you take or have control of a situation. (Bit = piece of metal in a horse's <br /><br /> mouth) <br /><br />Bit part <br /><br /> If someone has a small or unimportant role in something, they have a bit part. <br /><br /><br /><br />Bit player <br /><br /> A bit player has a small or unimportant role in something. <br /><br />Bite off more than you can chew <br /><br /> If you bite off more than you can chew, you take on more responsibilities than you can manage. 'Don't bite off more <br /><br /> than you can chew' is often used to advise people against agreeing to more than they can handle. <br /><br />Bite the bullet <br /><br /> If you have to bite the bullet, you have to accept or face something unpleasant because it cannot be avoided. <br /><br />Bite the dust <br /><br /> This is a way of saying that somebody has died, especially if they are killed violently like a soldier in battle. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Bite your lip <br /><br /> If you have to bite your lip, you have to make a conscious effort not to react or to keep quiet about something that <br /><br /> displeases you. <br /><br />Bite your tongue <br /><br /> If you bite your tongue, you refrain from speaking because it is socially or otherwise better not to. <br /><br />Bits and bobs <br /><br /> Bits and bobs are small, remnant articles and things- the same as odds and ends. <br /><br />Bitter end <br /><br /> If you do something to the bitter end, you do it to the very end, no matter how unsuccessful you are. <br /><br />Bitter pill to swallow <br /><br /> A bitter pill to swallow is something that is hard to accept. <br /><br />Black and white <br /><br /> When it is very clear who or what is right and wrong, then the situation is black and white. <br /><br />Black as Newgate's knocker <br /><br /> (UK) If things are as black as Newgate's knocker, they are very bad. Newgate was an infamous prison in England, so its <br /><br /> door knocker meant trouble. <br /><br />Black hole <br /><br /> If there is a black hole in financial accounts, money has disappeared. <br /><br />Black sheep <br /><br /> Someone who is the black sheep doesn't fit into a group or family because their behaviour or character is not good <br /><br /> enough. <br /><br />Bleeding edge <br /><br /> Similar to 'cutting edge', this implies a technology or process that is at the forefront or beyond current practices. <br /><br /> However, because it is unproven, it is often dangerous to use (hence the 'bleeding'). <br /><br />Bleeding heart <br /><br /> A bleeding heart is a person who is excessively sympathetic towards other people. <br /><br /><br /><br />Blessing in disguise <br /><br /> If some bad luck or misfortune ultimately results in something positive, it's a blessing in disguise. <br /><br />Blind as a bat <br /><br /> If you are in total darkness and can't see anything at all, you are as blind as a bat. <br /><br />Blind leading the blind <br /><br /> When the blind are leading the blind, the people in charge of something don't know anything more than the people <br /><br /> they are in charge of, when they should have greater knowledge. <br /><br />Blink of an eye <br /><br /> If something happens in the blink of an eye, it happens so fast it is almost impossible to notice it. <br /><br />Blood and thunder <br /><br /> An emotional speech or performance is full of blood and thunder. <br /><br />Blood is thicker than water <br /><br /> This idiom means that family relationships are stronger than others. <br /><br />Blood is worth bottling <br /><br /> (AU) If an Australian says to you "Your blood is worth bottling", he/she is complimenting or praising you for doing <br /><br /> something or being someone very special. <br /><br />Blood out of a stone <br /><br /> If something is like getting blood out of a stone, it is very difficult indeed. <br /><br />Blood out of a stone <br /><br /> 'You can't get blood out of a stone' means that it is impossible to get something from someone if they don't have it. We <br /><br /> also say that it was 'like getting blood from a stone' when it was very hard to get an answer from someone. 'Blood from <br /><br /> a rock' is an alternative. <br /><br />Blood, sweat and tears <br /><br /> If something will take blood, sweat and tears, it will be very difficult and will require a lot of effort and sacrifice. <br /><br />Blow a gasket <br /><br /> If you blow a gasket, you get very angry. <br /><br />Blow by blow <br /><br /> A blow-by-blow description gives every detail in sequence. <br /><br />Blow hot and cold <br /><br /> If you blow hot and cold on an idea, your attitude and opinion keeps changing; one minute you are for it, the next you <br /><br /> are against. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Blow off steam <br /><br /> (USA) If you blow off steam, you express your anger or frustration. <br /><br />Blow out of the water <br /><br /> If something, like an idea, is blown out of the water, it is destroyed or defeated comprehensively. <br /><br />Blow the cobwebs away <br /><br /> If you blow the cobwebs away, you make sweeping changes to something to bring fresh views and ideas in. <br /><br /><br /><br />Blow your own trumpet <br /><br /> If someone blows their own trumpet, they boast about their talents and achievements. <br /><br />Blow your stack <br /><br /> If you blow your stack, you lose your temper. <br /><br />Blow your top <br /><br /> If someone blows their top, they lose their temper. <br /><br />Blue blood <br /><br /> Someone with blue blood is royalty. <br /><br />Blue-eyed boy <br /><br /> Someone's blue-eyed boy is their favourite person. <br /><br />Bob's your uncle <br /><br /> (UK) This idiom means that something will be successful: Just tell him that I gave you his name and Bob's your uncle- <br /><br /> he'll help you. <br /><br />Body politic <br /><br /> A group of people organised under a single government or authority (national or regional) is a body politic. <br /><br />Bolt from the blue <br /><br /> If something happens unexpectedly and suddenly, it is a bolt from the blue. <br /><br />Bone of contention <br /><br /> If there is an issue that always causes tension and arguments, it is a bone of contention. <br /><br />Bone to pick <br /><br /> If you have a bone to pick with someone, you are annoyed about something they have done and want to tell them how <br /><br /> you feel. <br /><br />Boot is on the other foot <br /><br /> When the boot's on the other foot, a person who was in a position of weakness is now in a position of strength. <br /><br />Born to the purple <br /><br /> Someone who is born to the purple is born in a royal or aristocratic family. ("Born in the purple" is also used.) <br /><br />Born with a silver spoon in your mouth <br /><br /> If you are born with a silver spoon in your mouth, you are born into a rich family. <br /><br />Bottom line <br /><br /> In accountancy, the bottom line is net income, and is used idiomatically to mean the conclusion. <br /><br />Bounce off the walls <br /><br /> If someone's bouncing off the walls, they are very excited about something. <br /><br />Bouquet of orchids <br /><br /> Id someone deserves a bouquet of orchids, they have done something worthy of praise. <br /><br />Box and dice <br /><br /> Box and dice means everything. <br /><br />Box clever <br /><br /> (UK) If you box clever, you use your intelligence to get what you want, even if you have to cheat a bit. <br /><br />Boxing and coxing <br /><br /> If people are boxing and coxing, they are sharing responsibilities so that one of them is working while the other isn't. It <br /><br /> can also be used when couples are sharing a house, but their relationship has broken down and when one is at home, <br /><br /> the other stays out. <br /><br />Brain surgery <br /><br /> If something is not brain surgery, it isn't very complicated or difficult to understand or master. <br /><br />Brass monkey <br /><br /> If it's brass monkey weather, or cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey, it is extremely cold. <br /><br />Brass neck <br /><br /> (UK) Someone who has the brass neck to do something has no sense of shame about what they do. <br /><br />Brass tacks <br /><br /> If you get down to brass tacks, you get down to the real business. <br /><br />Bread and butter <br /><br /> Bread and butter issues are ones that affect people directly and in a very important way. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Breadwinner <br /><br /> Used to describe the person that earns the most money. For example - She's the breadwinner in the family. <br /><br />Break a leg <br /><br /> This idiom is a way of wishing someone good luck. <br /><br />Break even <br /><br /> If you break even, you don't make any money, but you don't lose any either. <br /><br />Break ground <br /><br /> If you break ground, or break new ground, you make progress, taking things into a new area or going further than <br /><br /> anyone has gone before. 'Ground-breaking' is used an adjective. <br /><br />Break the ice <br /><br /> When you break the ice, you get over any initial embarrassment or shyness when you meet someone for the first time <br /><br /> and start conversing. <br /><br />Break your duck <br /><br /> (UK) If you break your duck, you do something for the first time. <br /><br />Break your heart <br /><br /> If someone upsets you greatly, they break your heart, especially if they end a relationship. <br /><br />Breathe down your neck <br /><br /> If someone follows you or examines what you're doing very closely, they are breathing down your neck. <br /><br />Breathe your last <br /><br /> When you breathe your last, you die. <br /><br />Bright as a button <br /><br /> A person who is as bright as a button is very intelligent or smart. <br /><br />Bright-eyed and bushy-tailed <br /><br /> If someone's bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, they are full of energy and enthusiasm. <br /><br />Brighten up the day <br /><br /> If something brightens up your day, something happens that makes you feel positive and happy all day long. <br /><br />Bring a knife to a gunfight <br /><br /> If someone brings a knife to a gunfight, they are very badly prepared for something. <br /><br />Bring home the bacon <br /><br /> A person who brings home the bacon earns the money that a family live on. <br /><br />Bring someone to book <br /><br /> If somebody is brought to book, they are punished or made to account for something they have done wrong. <br /><br />Bring the house down <br /><br /> Something that brings the house down is acclaimed and praised vigorously. <br /><br />Broad church <br /><br /> If an organisation is described as broad church, it is tolerant and accepting of different opinions and ideas. <br /><br />Broad strokes <br /><br /> If something is described or defined with broad stokes, then only an outline is given, without fine details. <br /><br />Brown nose <br /><br /> When someone tries to make themselves popular with somebody, usually in a position of authority, especially by <br /><br /> flattering them, they are brown nosing. <br /><br />Brownie points <br /><br /> If you try to earn Brownie points with someone, you do things you know will please them. <br /><br />Brush under the carpet <br /><br /> If you brush something under the carpet, you are making an attempt to ignore it, or hide it from others. <br /><br />Bull in a China shop <br /><br /> If someone behaves like a bull in a China shop, they are clumsy when they should be careful. <br /><br />Bun in the oven <br /><br /> If a woman has a bun in the oven, she is pregnant. <br /><br />Bundle of nerves <br /><br /> Someone who is a bundle of nerves is very worried or nervous. <br /><br />Burn the candle at both ends <br /><br /> Someone who burns the candle at both ends lives life at a hectic pace, doing things which are likely to affect their <br /><br /> health badly. <br /><br />Burn the midnight oil <br /><br /> If you stay up very late working or studying, you burn the midnight oil. <br /><br />Burn your bridges <br /><br /> If you burn your bridges, you do something that makes it impossible to go back from the position you have taken. <br /><br />Burning question <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> A burning question is something we all want to know about. <br /><br />Bury the hatchet <br /><br /> If you bury the hatchet, you make peace with someone and stop arguing or fighting. <br /><br />Bury your head in the sand <br /><br /> If someone buries their head in the sand, they ignore something that is obviously wrong. <br /><br />Busman's holiday <br /><br /> A busman's holiday is when you spend your free time doing the same sort of work as you do in your job. <br /><br />Busted flush <br /><br /> Someone or something that had great potential but ended up a useless failure is a busted flush. <br /><br /><br /><br />Busy as a beaver <br /><br /> If you're as busy as a beaver, you're very busy indeed. <br /><br />Butter wouldn't melt in their mouth <br /><br /> If someone looks as if butter wouldn't melt in their mouth, they look very innocent. <br /><br />Butterflies in your stomach <br /><br /> The nervous feeling before something important or stressful is known as butterflies in your stomach. <br /><br />Button your lip <br /><br /> If you button your lip, you keep quiet and don't speak. It is also used as a way of telling someone to shut up. <br /><br />By a hair's breadth <br /><br /> If a person escapes from some danger by a hair's breadth, they only just managed to avoid it. The breadth is the <br /><br /> thickness of a hair, so they probably feel somewhat lucky because the margin between success and what could easily <br /><br /> have been failure was so close. <br /><br />By a long chalk <br /><br /> (UK) If you beat somebody by a long chalk, you win easily and comfortably. <br /><br />By a whisker <br /><br /> If you do something by a whisker, you only just manage to do it and come very near indeed to failing. <br /><br />By dint of <br /><br /> This means 'as a result of' or 'because of': It would be good to think he'd risen to position of Chief Executive by dint of <br /><br /> hard work. <br /><br />By heart <br /><br /> If you learn something by heart, you learn it word for word. <br /><br />By hook or by crook <br /><br /> If you are prepared to do something by hook or by crook, you are willing to do anything, good or bad, to reach your <br /><br /> goal. <br /><br />By leaps and bounds <br /><br /> Something that happens by leaps and bounds happens very quickly in big steps. <br /><br /><br /><br />By the back door <br /><br /> If something is started or introduced by the back door, then it is not done openly or by following the proper <br /><br /> procedures. <br /><br />By the book <br /><br /> If you do something by the book, you do it exactly as you are supposed to. <br /><br />By the same token <br /><br /> If someone applies the same rule to different situations, they judge them by the same token: If things go well, he's full <br /><br /> of praise, but, by the same token, when things go wrong he gets furious. <br /><br />By the seat of your pants <br /><br /> If you do something by the seat of your pants, you do it without help from anyone. <br /><br />By the skin of your teeth <br /><br /> If you do something by the skin of your teeth, you only just manage to do it and come very near indeed to failing. <br /><br />By word of mouth <br /><br /> If something becomes known by word of mouth, it gets known by being talked about rather than through publicity or <br /><br /> advertising, etc. <br /><br /><br /><br />~ C ~ <br /><br /><br /><br />Cake's not worth the candle <br /><br /> If someone says that the cake's not worth the candle, they mean that the result will not be worth the effort put in to <br /><br /> achieve it. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Call a spade a spade <br /><br /> A person who calls a spade a spade is one speaks frankly and makes little or no attempt to conceal their opinions or to <br /><br /> spare the feelings of their audience. <br /><br />Call the dogs off <br /><br /> If someone calls off their dogs, they stop attacking or criticising someone. <br /><br />Call the shots <br /><br /> If you call the shots, you are in charge and tell people what to do. <br /><br />Call the tune <br /><br /> The person who calls the tune makes the important decisions about something. <br /><br />Can of worms <br /><br /> If an action can create serious problems, it is opening a can of worms. <br /><br />Can't dance and it's too wet to plow <br /><br /> (USA) When you can't dance and it's too wet to plow, you may as well do something because you can't or don't have <br /><br /> the opportunity to do anything else. <br /><br />Can't hold a candle <br /><br /> If something can't hold a candle to something else, it is much worse. <br /><br />Canary in a coal mine <br /><br /> (UK) A canary in a coal mine is an early warning of danger. <br /><br />Card up your sleeve <br /><br /> If you have a card up your sleeve, you have a surprise plan or idea that you are keeping back until the time is right. <br /><br />Carpetbagger <br /><br /> A carpetbagger is an opportunist without any scruples or ethics, or a politican who wants to represent a place they have <br /><br /> no connection with. <br /><br />Carrot and stick <br /><br /> If someone offers a carrot and stick, they offer an incentive to do something combined with the threat of punishment. <br /><br />Carry the can <br /><br /> If you carry the can, you take the blame for something, even though you didn't do it or are only partly at fault. <br /><br />Case by case <br /><br /> If things are done case by case, each situation or issue is handled separately on its own merits and demerits. <br /><br /><br /><br />Cash in your chips <br /><br /> If you cash in your chips, you sell something to get what profit you can because you think its value is going to fall. It can <br /><br /> also mean 'to die'. <br /><br />Cast doubt on <br /><br /> If you make other people not sure about a matter, then you have cast doubt on it. <br /><br />Cast pearls before swine <br /><br /> If you cast pearls before swine, you offer something of value to someone who doesn't appreciate it- 'swine' are 'pigs'. <br /><br />Cast your mind back <br /><br /> If somebody tells you to cast your mind back on something, they want you to think about something that happened in <br /><br /> the past, but which you might not remember very well, and to try to remember as much as possible. <br /><br />Cast your net widely <br /><br /> If you cast your net widely, you use a wide range of sources when trying to find something. <br /><br />Castles in the air <br /><br /> Plans that are impractical and will never work out are castles in the air. <br /><br />Cat among the pigeons <br /><br /> If something or someone puts, or sets or lets, the cat among the pigeons, they create a disturbance and cause trouble. <br /><br />Cat burglar <br /><br /> A cat burglar is a skillful thief who breaks into places without disturbing people or setting off alarms. <br /><br />Cat fur and kitty britches <br /><br /> (USA) <p>When I used to ask my grandma what was for dinner, she would say "cat fur and kitty britches". This was her <br /><br /> Ozark way of telling me that I would get what she cooked. </p><p> (Ozark is a region in the center of the United <br /><br /> States) </p> <br /><br />Cat got your tongue? <br /><br /> If someone asks if the cat has got your tongue, they want to know why you are not speaking when they think you <br /><br /> should. <br /><br />Cat nap <br /><br /> If you have a short sleep during the day, you are cat napping. <br /><br />Cat's pajamas <br /><br /> (USA) Something that is the cat's pajamas is excellent. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Cat's whiskers <br /><br /> Something excellent is the cat's whiskers. <br /><br />Catch as catch can <br /><br /> This means that people should try to get something any way they can. <br /><br />Catch someone red-handed <br /><br /> If someone is caught red-handed, they are found doing something wrong or illegal. <br /><br />Caught with your hand in the cookie jar <br /><br /> (USA) If someone is caught with his or her hand in the cookie jar, he or she is caught doing something wrong.<br /> <br /><br />Chalk and cheese <br /><br /> Things, or people, that are like chalk and cheese are very different and have nothing in common. <br /><br />Change horses in midstream <br /><br /> If people change horses in midstream, they change plans or leaders when they are in the middle of something, even <br /><br /> though it may be very risky to do so. <br /><br />Change of heart <br /><br /> If you change the way you think or feel about something, you have a change of heart. <br /><br />Change tack <br /><br /> If you change tack, you use a different method for dealing with something. <br /><br />Change your tune <br /><br /> If someone changes their ideas or the way they talk about them, they change their tune. <br /><br />Charity begins at home <br /><br /> This idiom means that family members are more important than anyone else, and should be the focus of a person's <br /><br /> efforts. <br /><br />Chase rainbows <br /><br /> If someone chases rainbows, they try to do something that they will never achieve. <br /><br />Cheap as chips <br /><br /> (UK) If something is very inexpensive, it is as cheap as chips. <br /><br />Cheap at half the price <br /><br /> If something's cheap at half the price, it's very cheap indeed. <br /><br />Cheap shot <br /><br /> A cheap shot is an unprincipled criticism. <br /><br />Cheat death <br /><br /> If someone cheats death, they narrowly avoid a major problem or accident. <br /><br />Cheek by jowl <br /><br /> If things or people are cheek by jowl, they are very close together. <br /><br />Cherry pick <br /><br /> If people cherry pick, they choose things that support their position, while ignoring things that contradict it. <br /><br />Chew on a bone. <br /><br /> If someone is chewing on a bone, he or she is thinking about something intently. <br /><br />Chew the cud <br /><br /> If you chew the cud, you think carefully about something. <br /><br />Chew the fat <br /><br /> If you chew the fat with someone, you talk at leisure with them. <br /><br />Chickenfeed <br /><br /> If something is small or unimportant, especially money, it is chickenfeed. <br /><br />Chinese walls <br /><br /> Chinese walls are regulatory information barriers that aim to stop the flow of information that could be misused, <br /><br /> especially in financial corporations. <br /><br />Chinese whispers <br /><br /> (UK) When a story is told from person to person, especially if it is gossip or scandal, it inevitably gets distorted and <br /><br /> exaggerated. This process is called Chinese whispers. <br /><br />Chip off the old block <br /><br /> If someone is a chip off the old block, they closely resemble one or both of the parents in character. <br /><br />Chip on your shoulder <br /><br /> If someone has a chip on their shoulder, they are resentful about something and feel that they have been treated <br /><br /> badly. <br /><br />Cigarette paper <br /><br /> If you cannot get or put a cigarette paper between people, they are so closely bonded that nothing will separate them <br /><br /> or their positions on issues. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> <br /><br /><br /><br />Circle the wagons <br /><br /> (USA) If you circle the wagons, you stop communicating with people who don't think the same way as you to avoid their <br /><br /> ideas. <br /><br />Class act <br /><br /> Someone who's a class act is exceptional in what they do. <br /><br />Clean as a whistle <br /><br /> If something is as clean as a whistle, it is extremely clean, spotless. It can also be used to mean 'completely', though this <br /><br /> meaning is less common nowadays. <br /><br />Clean bill of health <br /><br /> If something or someone has a clean bill of health, then there's nothing wrong; everything's fine. <br /><br />Clean break <br /><br /> If you make a clean break, you break away completely from something. <br /><br />Clean hands <br /><br /> Someone with clean hands, or who keeps their hands clean, is not involved in illegal or immoral activities. <br /><br />Clean sheet <br /><br /> When someone has a clean sheet, they have got no criminal record or problems affecting their reputation. In football <br /><br /> and other sports, a goalkeeper has a clean sheet when let no goals in. <br /><br />Clean slate <br /><br /> If you start something with a clean slate, then nothing bad from your past is taken into account. <br /><br />Clean sweep <br /><br /> If someone makes a clean sweep, they win absolutely everything in a competition or contest. <br /><br />Clear as mud <br /><br /> If something is as clear as mud, then it is very confusing and unclear. <br /><br />Cliffhanger <br /><br /> If something like a sports match or an election is a cliffhanger, then the result is so close that it cannot be predicted and <br /><br /> will only be known at the very end. <br /><br />Climb on the bandwagon <br /><br /> When people climb on the bandwagon they do something because it is popular and everyone else is doing it. <br /><br />Close at hand <br /><br /> If something is close at hand, it is nearby or conveniently located.<br /> <br /><br />Close but no cigar <br /><br /> (USA) If you are close but no cigar, you are close to success, but have not got there. <br /><br />Close call <br /><br /> If the result of something is a close call, it is almost impossible to distinguish between the parties involved and to say <br /><br /> who has won or whatever. <br /><br />Close shave <br /><br /> If you have a close shave, you very nearly have a serious accident or get into trouble. <br /><br />Close the stable door after the horse has bolted <br /><br /> If people try to fix something after the problem has occurred, they are trying to close the stable door after the horse <br /><br /> has bolted. 'Close the barn door after the horse has bolted' is alternative, often used in American English. <br /><br />Close to your heart <br /><br /> If something is close to your heart, you care a lot about it. ('Dear to your heart' is an alternative.) <br /><br />Closed book to me <br /><br /> If a subject is a closed book to you, it is something that you don't understand or know anything about. <br /><br />Cloud cuckoo land <br /><br /> If someone has ideas or plans that are completely unrealistic, they are living on cloud cuckoo land. <br /><br />Cloud nine <br /><br /> If you are on cloud nine, you are extremely happy. ('cloud seven' is a less common alternative) <br /><br />Cloud of suspicion <br /><br /> If a cloud of suspicion hangs over an individual, it means that they are not believed or are distrusted. <br /><br />Cloud on the horizon <br /><br /> If you can see a problem ahead, you can call it a cloud on the horizon. <br /><br />Clutch at straws <br /><br /> If someone is in serious trouble and tries anything to help them, even though their chances of success are probably nil, <br /><br /> they are clutching at straws. <br /><br />Coals to Newcastle <br /><br /> (UK) Taking, bringing, or carrying coals to Newcastle is doing something that is completely unnecessary. <br /><br />Cock and bull story <br /><br /> A cock and bull story is a lie someone tells that is completely unbelievable. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Cold feet <br /><br /> If you get cold feet about something, you lose the courage to do it. <br /><br />Cold fish <br /><br /> A cold fish is a person who doesn't show how they feel. <br /><br />Cold light of day <br /><br /> If you see things in the cold light of day, you see them as they really are, not as you might want them to be. <br /><br />Cold shoulder <br /><br /> If you give or show someone the cold shoulder, you are deliberately unfriendly and unco-operative towards them. <br /><br />Cold sweat <br /><br /> If something brings you out in a cold sweat, it frightens you a lot. <br /><br />Cold turkey <br /><br /> If someone suddenly stops taking drugs, instead of slowly cutting down, they do cold turkey. <br /><br /><br /><br />Collateral damage <br /><br /> Accidental or unintended damage or casualties are collateral damage. <br /><br />Collect dust <br /><br /> If something is collecting dust, it isn't being used any more. <br /><br />Come a cropper <br /><br /> (UK) Someone whose actions or lifestyle will inevitably result in trouble is going to come a cropper. <br /><br />Come clean <br /><br /> If someone comes clean about something, they admit to deceit or wrongdoing. <br /><br />Come hell or high water <br /><br /> If someone says they'll do something come hell or high water, they mean that nothing will stop them, no matter what <br /><br /> happens. <br /><br /><br /><br />Come out in the wash <br /><br /> If something will come out in the wash, it won't have any permanent negative effect. <br /><br />Come out of your shell <br /><br /> If someone comes out of their shell, they stop being shy and withdrawn and become more friendly and sociable. <br /><br />Come rain or shine <br /><br /> If I say I'll be at a place COME RAIN OR SHINE, I mean that I can be relied on to turn up; nothing, not even the vagaries <br /><br /> of British weather, will deter me or stop me from being there. <br /><br />Come to grips <br /><br /> If you come to grips with a problem or issue, you face up to it and deal with it. <br /><br />Come up roses <br /><br /> If things come up roses, they produce a positive result, especially when things seemed to be going badly at first. <br /><br />Come up smelling of roses <br /><br /> (UK) If someone comes up smelling of roses, they emerge from a situation with their reputation undamaged. <br /><br />Come what may <br /><br /> If you're prepared to do something come what may, it means that nothing will stop or distract you, no matter how hard <br /><br /> or difficult it becomes. <br /><br />Come with the territory <br /><br /> If something comes with the territory, it is part of a job or responsibility and just has to be accepted, even if unpleasant. <br /><br />Comfort zone <br /><br /> It is the temperature range in which the body doesn't shiver or sweat, but has an idiomatic sense of a place where <br /><br /> people feel comfortable, where they can avoid the worries of the world. It can be physical or mental. <br /><br />Constitution of an ox <br /><br /> If someone has the constitution of an ox, they are less affected than most people by things like tiredness, illness, <br /><br /> alcohol, etc. <br /><br />Cook someone's goose <br /><br /> If you cook someone's goose, you ruin their plans. <br /><br />Cook up a storm <br /><br /> If someone cooks up a storm, they cause a big fuss or generate a lot of talk about something. <br /><br />Corner a market <br /><br /> If a business is dominant in an area and unlikely to be challenged by other companies, it has cornered the market. <br /><br />Couch potato <br /><br /> A couch potato is an extremely idle or lazy person who chooses to spend most of their leisure time horizontal in front of <br /><br /> the TV and eats a diet that is mainly junk food. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Could eat a horse <br /><br /> If you are very hungry, you could eat a horse. <br /><br />Couldn't give two hoots <br /><br /> If you couldn't give two hoots about something, you don't care at all about it. <br /><br />Cover all the bases <br /><br /> If you cover all the bases, you deal with all aspects of a situation or issue, or anticipate all possibilities. ('Cover all bases' <br /><br /> is also used.) <br /><br />Crack a nut with a sledgehammer <br /><br /> If you use a sledgehammer to crack a nut, you apply too much force to achieve a result. ('Jackhammer' is also used.) <br /><br />Crash a party <br /><br /> If you crash a party, or are a gatecrasher, you go somewhere you haven't been invited to. <br /><br />Cream of the crop <br /><br /> The cream of the crop is the best there is. <br /><br />Creature comforts <br /><br /> If a person said "I hate camping. I don't like giving up my creature comforts." the person would be referring, in <br /><br /> particular, to the comfortable things he/she would have at home but not when camping. At home, for example, he/she <br /><br /> would have complete shelter from the weather, a television, a nice comfortable warm bed, the ability to take a warm <br /><br /> bath or shower, comfortable lounge chairs to relax in and so on. The person doesn't like giving up the material and <br /><br /> psychological benefits of his/her normal life. <br /><br />Creme de la creme <br /><br /> The creme de la creme is the very best of something. <br /><br />Crocodile tears <br /><br /> If someone cries crocodile tears, they pretend to be upset or affected by something. <br /><br />Cross to bear <br /><br /> If someone has a cross to bear, they have a heavy burden of responsibility or a problem that they alone must cope with. <br /><br />Cry wolf <br /><br /> If someone cries wolf, they raise a false alarm about something. <br /><br />Cry your eyes out <br /><br /> If you cry your eyes out, you cry uncontrollably. <br /><br />Cry-baby <br /><br /> A cry-baby is a person who gets emotional and cries too easily. <br /><br />Curate's egg <br /><br /> (UK) If something is a bit of a curate's egg, it is only good in parts. <br /><br />Curiosity killed the cat <br /><br /> As cats are naturally curious animals, we use this expression to suggest to people that excessive curiosity is not <br /><br /> necessarily a good thing, especially where it is not their business. <br /><br />Curry favour <br /><br /> If people try to curry favour, they try to get people to support them. ('Curry favor' is the American spelling.) <br /><br /><br /><br />Curve ball <br /><br /> (USA) If something is a curve ball, it is deceptive. <br /><br />Cut and dried <br /><br /> If something is cut and dried, then everything has already been decided and, in the case of an opinion, might be a little <br /><br /> stale and predictable. <br /><br />Cut corners <br /><br /> If people try to do something as cheaply or as quickly as possible, often sacrificing quality, they are cutting corners. <br /><br />Cut down the tall poppies <br /><br /> (AU) If people cut down the tall poppies, they criticise people who stand out from the crowd. <br /><br />Cut it fine <br /><br /> If you cut it fine, you only just manage to do something- at the very last moment. 'Cut things fine' is the same. 'Cut it a <br /><br /> bit fine' is a common variation. <br /><br />Cut off your nose to spite your face <br /><br /> If you cut off your nose to spite your face, you do something rash or silly that ends up making things worse for you, <br /><br /> often because you are angry or upset. <br /><br />Cut the Gordian knot <br /><br /> If someone cuts the Gordian knot, they solve a very complex problem in a simple way. <br /><br />Cut the mustard <br /><br /> (UK) If somebody or something doesn't cut the mustard, they fail or it fails to reach the required standard. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Cut to the chase <br /><br /> If you cut to the chase, you get to the point, or the most interesting or important part of something without delay. <br /><br />Cut to the quick <br /><br /> If someone's cut to the quick by something, they are very hurt and upset indeed. <br /><br />Cut your coat according to your cloth <br /><br /> If you cut your coat according to your cloth, you only buy things that you have sufficient money to pay for. <br /><br />Cut your teeth on <br /><br /> The place where you gain your early experience is where you cut your teeth. <br /><br />Cute as a bug <br /><br /> (USA) If something is as cute as a bug, it is sweet and endearing. <br /><br />Cuts no ice <br /><br /> If something cuts no ice, it doesn't have any effect or influence. <br /><br />Cutting edge <br /><br /> Something that is cutting edge is at the forefront of progress in its area. <br /><br /><br /><br />~ D ~ <br /><br /><br /><br />Daft as a brush <br /><br /> (UK) Someone who is daft as a brush is rather stupid. <br /><br />Damp squib <br /><br /> (UK) If something is expected to have a great effect or impact but doesn't, it is a damp squib. <br /><br />Dark horse <br /><br /> If someone is a dark horse, they are a bit of a mystery. <br /><br />Day in the sun <br /><br /> If you have your day in the sun, you get attention and are appreciated. <br /><br />Daylight robbery <br /><br /> If you are overcharged or underpaid, it is a daylight robbery; open, unfair and hard to prevent. Rip-off has a similar <br /><br /> meaning. <br /><br />Dead air <br /><br /> When there is a period of total silence, there is dead air. <br /><br />Dead and buried <br /><br /> If something is dead and buried, it has all long been settled and is not going to be reconsidered. <br /><br />Dead as a dodo <br /><br /> If something's dead as a dodo, it is lifeless and dull. The dodo was a bird that lived the island of Mauritius. It couldn't fly <br /><br /> and was hunted to extinction. <br /><br />Dead as a doornail <br /><br /> This is used to indicate that something is lifeless. <br /><br />Dead duck <br /><br /> If something is a dead duck, it is a failure. <br /><br />Dead from the neck up <br /><br /> Someone who's dead from the neck up is very stupid indeed. <br /><br />Dead heat <br /><br /> If a race ends in a dead heat, two or more finish with exactly the same result. <br /><br />Dead in the water <br /><br /> If something is dead in the water, it isn't going anywhere or making any progress. <br /><br />Dead man walking <br /><br /> A dead man walking is someone who is in great trouble and will certainly get punished, lose their job or position, etc, <br /><br /> soon. <br /><br />Dead meat <br /><br /> This is used as a way of threatening someone: You'll be dead meat if you don't go along. <br /><br />Dead men's shoes <br /><br /> If promotion or success requires replacing somebody, then it can only be reached by dead men's shoes' by getting rid of <br /><br /> them. <br /><br />Dead to the world <br /><br /> If somebody's fast asleep and completely unaware of what if happening around them, he or she's dead to the world. <br /><br />Dear John letter <br /><br /> A letter written by a partner explaining why they are ending the relationship is a Dear John letter. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Death of a thousand cuts <br /><br /> If something is suffering the death of a thousand cuts, or death by a thousand cuts, lots of small bad things are <br /><br /> happening, none of which are fatal in themselves, but which add up to a slow and painful demise. <br /><br />Death warmed up <br /><br /> (UK) If someone looks like death warmed up, they look very ill indeed. ('death warmed over' is the American form) <br /><br />Demon weed <br /><br /> Tobacco is the demon weed. <br /><br />Derring-do <br /><br /> If a person shows derring-do, they show great courage. <br /><br />Devil finds work for idle hands <br /><br /> When people say that the devil finds work for idle hands, they mean that if people don't have anything to do with their <br /><br /> time, they are more likely to get involved in trouble and criminality. <br /><br />Devil is in the detail <br /><br /> When people say that the devil in the detail, they mean that small things in plans and schemes that are often <br /><br /> overlooked can cause serious problems later on. <br /><br />Devil may care <br /><br /> <p>If you live a devil-may-care life it means you are willing to take more risks than most people.</p> <br /><br />Devil's advocate <br /><br /> If someone plays Devil's advocate in an argument, they adopt a position they don't believe in just for the sake of the <br /><br /> argument <br /><br />Diamond in the rough <br /><br /> A diamond in the rough is someone or something that has great potential, but isn't not refined and polished. <br /><br />Die is cast <br /><br /> If the die is cast, a decision has been made that cannot be altered and fate will decide the consequences. <br /><br />Different kettle of fish <br /><br /> If something is a different kettle of fish, it is very different from the other things referenced. <br /><br />Different ropes for different folks <br /><br /> (USA) This idiom means that different people do things in different ways that suit them. <br /><br />Different strokes for different folks <br /><br /> (USA) This idiom means that different people do things in different ways that suit them. <br /><br />Dime a dozen <br /><br /> (USA) If something is a dime a dozen, it is extremely common, possibly too common. <br /><br />Dip your toes in the water <br /><br /> If you dip your toes in the water, you try something tentatively because you are not sure whether it will work or not. <br /><br />Dirty dog <br /><br /> A dirty dog is an untrustworthy person. <br /><br />Discerning eye <br /><br /> If a person has a discerning eye, they are particularly good at judging the quality of something. <br /><br />Discretion is the better part of valour <br /><br /> This idiom means that it is often better to think carefully and not act than to do something that may cause problems. <br /><br />Dish the dirt <br /><br /> If you dish the dirt on something or someone, you make unpleasant or shocking information public.<br /> <br /><br />Do a Devon Loch <br /><br /> (UK) If someone does a Devon Loch, they fail when they were very close to winning. Devon Loch was a horse that <br /><br /> collapsed just short of the winning line of the Grand National race. <br /><br />Do a runner <br /><br /> (UK) If people leave a restaurant without paying, they do a runner. <br /><br />Do the running <br /><br /> (UK) The person who has to do the running has to make sure that things get done. ('Make the running' is also used.) <br /><br />Do their dirty work <br /><br /> Someone who does someone's dirty work, carries out the unpleasant jobs that the first person doesn't want to do. <br /><br /> Someone who seems to enjoy doing this is sometimes known as a 'henchman'. <br /><br />Do's and don't's <br /><br /> The do's and don't's are what is acceptable or allowed or not within an area or issue, etc. <br /><br />Dog and pony show <br /><br /> (USA) A dog and pony show is a presentation or some marketing that has lots of style, but no real content. <br /><br />Dog days <br /><br /> Dog days are very hot summer days. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Dog eat dog <br /><br /> In a dog eat dog world, there is intense competition and rivalry, where everybody thinks only of himself or herself. <br /><br />Dog in the manger <br /><br /> (UK) If someone acts like a dog in the manger, they don't want other people to have or enjoy things that are useless to <br /><br /> them. <br /><br />Dog tired <br /><br /> If you are dog tired, you are exhausted. <br /><br />Dog's dinner <br /><br /> Something that is a dog's dinner is a real mess. <br /><br />Dog's life <br /><br /> If some has a dog's life, they have a very unfortunate and wretched life. <br /><br /><br /><br />Dog-eared <br /><br /> If a book is dog-eared, it is in bad condition, with torn pages, etc. <br /><br />Doggy bag <br /><br /> If you ask for a doggy bag in a restaurant, they will pack the food you haven't eaten for you to take home. <br /><br /><br /><br />Doldrums <br /><br /> If a person is in the doldrums, they are depressed. If a project or something similar is in the doldrums, it isn't making <br /><br /> any progress. <br /><br />Dollars for doughnuts <br /><br /> (USA) If something is dollars for doughnuts, it is a sure bet or certainty. <br /><br />Don't catch your chickens before they're hatched <br /><br /> This means that you should wait until you know whether something has produced the results you desire, rather than <br /><br /> acting beforehand. ('Don't count your chickens until they've hatched' is an alternative.) <br /><br />Don't give up the day job <br /><br /> This idiom is used a way of telling something that they do something badly. <br /><br />Don't hold your breath <br /><br /> If you are told not to hold your breath, it means that you shouldn't have high expectations about something. <br /><br />Don't judge a book by the cover <br /><br /> This idiom means that you should not judge something or someone by appearances, but should look deeper at what is <br /><br /> inside and more important. <br /><br />Don't look a gift horse in the mouth <br /><br /> This means that if you are given something, a present or a chance, you should not waste it by being too critical or <br /><br /> examining it too closely. <br /><br />Don't push my buttons! <br /><br /> This can be said to someone who is starting to annoy you. <br /><br />Don't sweat the small stuff <br /><br /> (USA) This is used to tell people not to worry about trivial or unimportant issues. <br /><br />Don't take any wooden nickels <br /><br /> (USA) This idiom is used to advise people not to be cheated or ripped off. <br /><br />Don't upset the applecart <br /><br /> If you are advised not to upset the applecart, you are being told not to disturb the way things are done because it might <br /><br /> ruin things. <br /><br />Don't wash your dirty laundry in public <br /><br /> (UK) People, especially couples, who argue in front of others or involve others in their personal problems and crises, are <br /><br /> said to be washing their dirty laundry in public; making public things that are best left private. (In American English, <br /><br /> 'don't air your dirty laundry in public' is used.) <br /><br />Done to death <br /><br /> If a joke or story has been done to death, it has been told so often that it has stopped being funny. <br /><br />Donkey's years <br /><br /> This idiom means 'a very long time'. <br /><br />Doormat <br /><br /> A person who doesn't stand up for themselves and gets treated badly is a doormat. <br /><br />Double Dutch <br /><br /> (UK) If something is double Dutch, it is completely incomprehensible. <br /><br />Double take <br /><br /> If someone does a double take, they react very slowly to something to show how shocked or surprised they are. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Double whammy <br /><br /> A double whammy is when something causes two problems at the same time, or when two setbacks occur at the same <br /><br /> time. <br /><br />Double-edged sword <br /><br /> If someone uses an argument that could both help them and harm them, then they are using a two-edged sword; it <br /><br /> cuts both ways. <br /><br />Doubting Thomas <br /><br /> A Doubting Thomas is someone who only believes what they see themselves, not what they are told. <br /><br />Down and out <br /><br /> If someone is down and out, they are desperately poor and need help. <br /><br />Down at heel <br /><br /> Someone who is down at heel is short of money. ('Down in heel' is used in American English) <br /><br />Down for the count <br /><br /> If someone is down for the count, they have lost a struggle, like a boxer who has been knocked out. <br /><br />Down in the doldrums <br /><br /> If somebody's down in the doldrums, they are depressed and lacking energy. <br /><br />Down in the dumps <br /><br /> If someone's down in the dumps, they are depressed. <br /><br />Down in the mouth <br /><br /> If someone is down in the mouth, they look unhappy or depressed. <br /><br />Down the drain <br /><br /> If something goes down the drain, especially money or work, it is wasted or produces no results. <br /><br />Down the pan <br /><br /> If something has gone down the pan, it has failed or been ruined. <br /><br />Down the tubes <br /><br /> If something has gone down the tubes, it has failed or been ruined. <br /><br /><br /><br />Down to the wire <br /><br /> (USA) If something goes down to the wire, like a competition, then it goes to the very last moment before it is clear <br /><br /> who has won. <br /><br />Down-to-earth <br /><br /> Someone who's down-to-earth is practical and realistic. It can also be used for things like ideas. <br /><br />Drag your feet <br /><br /> If someone is dragging their feet, they are taking too long to do or finish something, usually because they don't want to <br /><br /> do it. <br /><br />Drag your heels <br /><br /> If you drag your heels, you either delay doing something or do it as slowly as possible because you don't want to do it. <br /><br />Draw a blank <br /><br /> If you try to find something out and draw a blank, you don't get any useful information. <br /><br />Draw a line in the sand <br /><br /> If you draw a line in the sand, you establish a limit beyond which things will be unacceptable. <br /><br />Draw a long bow <br /><br /> If someone draws a long bow, they lie or exaggerate. <br /><br />Draw the line <br /><br /> When you draw the line, you set out limits of what you find acceptable, beyond which you will not go. <br /><br />Draw the shortest straw <br /><br /> If someone draws the shortest straw, they lose or are chosen to do something unpleasant. <br /><br />Dress to kill <br /><br /> When someone is dressed to kill, they are dressed very smartly. <br /><br />Dressed to the nines <br /><br /> If you are in your very best clothes, you're dressed to the nines. <br /><br />Drink like a fish <br /><br /> If someone drinks like a fish, they drink far too much alcohol. <br /><br />Drive a wedge <br /><br /> If you drive a wedge between people, you exploit an issue so that people start to disagree. <br /><br />Drive someone up the wall <br /><br /> If something or someone drives you up the wall, they do something that irritates you greatly. <br /><br />Drop in the bucket <br /><br /> (USA) A drop in the bucket is something so small that it won't make any noticeable difference. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Drop in the ocean <br /><br /> A drop in the ocean implies that something will have little effect because it is small and mostly insignificant. <br /><br />Drop someone a line <br /><br /> If you drop someone a line, you send a letter to them. <br /><br />Drop the ball <br /><br /> If someone drops the ball, they are not doing their job or taking their responsibilities seriously enough and let <br /><br /> something go wrong. <br /><br />Drunk as a lord <br /><br /> (UK) Someone who is very drunk is as drunk as a lord. <br /><br />Dry as a bone <br /><br /> If your lawn is as dry as a bone, the soil is completely dry. <br /><br />Dry spell <br /><br /> If something or someone is having a dry spell, they aren't being as successful as they normally are. <br /><br />Duck soup <br /><br /> (USA) If something is duck soup, it is very easy. <br /><br />Duck to water <br /><br /> If you take to something like a duck to water, you find when you start that you have a natural affinity for it. <br /><br />Ducks in a row <br /><br /> (USA) If you have your ducks in a row, you are well-organized. <br /><br />Dull as ditchwater <br /><br /> (UK) If something is as dull as ditchwater, it is incredibly boring. A ditch is a long narrow hole or trench dug to contain <br /><br /> water, which is normally a dark, dirty colour and stagnant (when water turns a funny colour and starts to smell bad). (In <br /><br /> American English,'things are 'dull as dishwater'.) <br /><br />Dunkirk spirit <br /><br /> (UK) Dunkirk spirit is when people pull together to get through a very difficult time. <br /><br />Dutch auction <br /><br /> If something is sold by setting a price, then reducing it until someone buys it, it is sold in a Dutch auction. It can also <br /><br /> mean that something is changed until it is accepted by everyone. <br /><br />Dutch courage <br /><br /> Dutch courage is the reckless bravery caused by drinking too much. <br /><br />Dutch treat <br /><br /> If something like a meal is a Dutch treat, then each person pays their own share of the bill. <br /><br />Dutch uncle <br /><br /> A Dutch uncle is a person who gives unwelcome advice. <br /><br />Dwell on the past <br /><br /> Thinking too much about the past, so that it becomes a problem is to dwell on the past. <br /><br />Dyed-in-the-wool <br /><br /> If someone is a dyed-in-the-wool supporter of a political party, etc, they support them totally, without any questions. <br /><br /><br /><br />~ F ~ <br /><br /><br /><br />Face like thunder <br /><br /> If someone has a face like thunder, they are clearly very angry or upset about something. <br /><br />Face the music <br /><br /> If you have to face the music, you have to accept the negative consequences of something you have done wrong. <br /><br />Face value <br /><br /> If you take something at face value, you accept the appearance rather than looking deeper into the matter. <br /><br />Facts of life <br /><br /> When someone is taught the facts of life, they learn about sex and reproduction. <br /><br />Fair and square <br /><br /> If someone wins something fair and square, they follow the rules and win conclusively. <br /><br />Fair crack of the whip <br /><br /> (UK) If everybody has a fair crack of the whip, they all have equal opportunities to do something. <br /><br />Fair shake of the whip <br /><br /> (USA) If everybody has a fair shake of the whip, they all have equal opportunities to do something. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Fairweather friend <br /><br /> A fairweather friend is the type who is always there when times are good but forgets about you when things get <br /><br /> difficult or problems crop up. <br /><br />Fall off the back of a lorry <br /><br /> (UK) If someone tries to sell you something that has fallen of the back of a lorry, they are trying to sell you stolen goods. <br /><br /><br /><br />Fall off the turnip truck <br /><br /> (USA) If someone has just fallen off the turnip truck, they are uninformed, naive and gullible. (Often used in the <br /><br /> negative) <br /><br />Fall on our feet <br /><br /> If you fall on your feet, you succeed in doing something where there was a risk of failure. <br /><br />Fall on your sword <br /><br /> If someone falls on their sword, they resign or accept the consequences of some wrongdoing. <br /><br />Familiarity breeds contempt <br /><br /> This means that the more you know something or someone, the more you start to find faults and dislike things about it <br /><br /> or them. <br /><br />Fast and furious <br /><br /> Things that happen fast and furious happen very quickly without stopping or pausing. <br /><br />Fat cat <br /><br /> A fat cat is a person who makes a lot of money and enjoys a privileged position in society. <br /><br />Fat chance! <br /><br /> This idiom is a way of telling someone they have no chance. <br /><br />Fat head <br /><br /> A fat head is a dull, stupid person. <br /><br />Fat hits the fire <br /><br /> When the fat hits the fire, trouble breaks out. <br /><br />Fat of the land <br /><br /> Living off the fat of the land means having the best of everything in life. <br /><br />Fate worse than death <br /><br /> Describing something as a fate worse than death is a fairly common way of implying that it is unpleasant. <br /><br />Feather in your cap <br /><br /> A success or achievement that may help you in the future is a feather in your cap. <br /><br />Feather your own nest <br /><br /> If someone feathers their own nest, they use their position or job for personal gain. <br /><br />Feathers fly <br /><br /> When people are fighting or arguing angrily, we can say that feathers are flying. <br /><br />Fed up to the back teeth <br /><br /> When you are extremely irritated and fed up with something or someone, you are fed up to the back teeth. <br /><br />Feel at home <br /><br /> If you feel relaxed and comfortable somewhere or with someone, you feel at home. <br /><br />Feel free <br /><br /> If you ask for permission to do something and are told to feel free, the other person means that there is absolutely no <br /><br /> problem <br /><br />Feel the pinch <br /><br /> If someone is short of money or feeling restricted in some other way, they are feeling the pinch. <br /><br />Feeling blue <br /><br /> If you feel blue, you are feeling unwell, mainly associated with depression or unhappiness. <br /><br />Feet of clay <br /><br /> If someone has feet of clay, they have flaws that make them seem more human and like normal people. <br /><br />Feet on the ground <br /><br /> A practical and realistic person has their feet on the ground. <br /><br /><br /><br />Fiddle while Rome burns <br /><br /> If people are fiddling while Rome burns, they are wasting their time on futile things while problems threaten to destroy <br /><br /> them. <br /><br />Fifth columnist <br /><br /><br /><br /> (UK) A fifth columnist is a member of a subversive organisation who tries to help an enemy invade. <br /><br />Fifth wheel <br /><br /> (USA) A fifth wheel is something unnecessary or useless. <br /><br />Fight an uphill battle <br /><br /> When you fight an uphill battle, you have to struggle against very unfavourable circumstances. <br /><br />Fight tooth and nail <br /><br /> If someone will fight tooth and nail for something, they will not stop at anything to get what they want. ('Fight tooth <br /><br /> and claw' is an alternative.) <br /><br />Fighting chance <br /><br /> If you have a fighting chance, you have a reasonable possibility of success. <br /><br />Find your feet <br /><br /> When you are finding your feet, you are in the process of gaining confidence and experience in something. <br /><br />Fine and dandy <br /><br /> (UK) If thing's are fine and dandy, then everything is going well. <br /><br />Fine tuning <br /><br /> Small adjustments to improve something or to get it working are called fine tuning. <br /><br />Fine words butter no parsnips <br /><br /> This idiom means that it's easy to talk, but talk is not action. <br /><br />Finger in the pie <br /><br /> If you have a finger in the pie, you have an interest in something. <br /><br />Fingers and thumbs <br /><br /> If you are all fingers and thumbs, you are being clumsy and not very skilled with your hands. <br /><br />Fire away <br /><br /> If you want to ask someone a question and they tell you to fire away, they mean that you are free to ask what you <br /><br /> want. <br /><br />Fire on all cylinders <br /><br /> If something is firing on all cylinders, it is going as well as it could. <br /><br />First come, first served <br /><br /> This means there will be no preferential treatment and a service will be provided to those that arrive first. <br /><br />First out of the gate <br /><br /> When someone is first out of the gate, they are the first to do something that others are trying to do. <br /><br />First port of call <br /><br /> The first place you stop to do something is your first port of call. <br /><br />Fish or cut bait <br /><br /> (USA) This idiom is used when you want to tell someone that it is time to take action. <br /><br />Fish out of water <br /><br /> If you are placed in a situation that is completely new to you and confuses you, you are like a fish out of water. <br /><br />Fishy <br /><br /> If there is something fishy about someone or something, there is something suspicious; a feeling that there is <br /><br /> something wrong, though it isn't clear what it is. <br /><br />Fit as a fiddle <br /><br /> If you are fit as a fiddle, you are in perfect health. <br /><br />Fit for a king <br /><br /> If something is fit for a king, it is of the very highest quality or standard. <br /><br />Fit of pique <br /><br /> If someone reacts badly because their pride is hurt, this is a fit of pique. <br /><br />Fit the bill <br /><br /> If something fits the bill, it is what is required for the task. <br /><br />Fit to be tied <br /><br /> If someone is fit to be tied, they are extremely angry. <br /><br />Flash in the pan <br /><br /> If something is a flash in the pan, it is very noticeable but doesn't last long, like most singers, who are very successful for <br /><br /> a while, then forgotten. <br /><br />Flat out <br /><br /> If you work flat out, you work as hard and fast as you possibly can. <br /><br />Fleet of foot <br /><br /> If someone is fleet of foot, they are very quick. <br /><br />Flesh and blood <br /><br /> Your flesh and blood are your blood relatives, especially your immediate family. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Flogging a dead horse <br /><br /> (UK) If someone is trying to convince people to do or feel something without any hope of succeeding, they're flogging a <br /><br /> dead horse. This is used when someone is trying to raise interest in an issue that no-one supports anymore; beating a <br /><br /> dead horse will not make it do any more work. <br /><br />Flowery speech <br /><br /> Flowery speech is full of lovely words, but may well lack substance. <br /><br />Fly by the seat of one's pants <br /><br /> If you fly by the seat of one's pants, you do something difficult even though you don't have the experience or training <br /><br /> required. <br /><br />Fly in the ointment <br /><br /> A fly in the ointment is something that spoils or prevents complete enjoyment of something. <br /><br />Fly off the handle <br /><br /> If someone flies off the handle, they get very angry. <br /><br />Fly on the wall <br /><br /> If you are able to see and hear events as they happen, you are a fly on the wall. <br /><br />Fly the coop <br /><br /> When children leave home to live away from their parents, they fly the coop. <br /><br />Fly the flag <br /><br /> If someone flies the flag, they represent or support their country. ('Wave the flag' and 'show the flag' are alternative <br /><br /> forms of this idiom) <br /><br />Food for thought <br /><br /> If something is food for thought, it is worth thinking about or considering seriously. <br /><br />Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me <br /><br /> This means that you should learn from your mistakes and not allow people to take advantage of you repeatedly.<br /> <br /><br />Fools rush in where angels fear to tread <br /><br /> This idiom is used where people who are inexperienced or lack knowledge do something that more informed people <br /><br /> would avoid. <br /><br />Foot the bill <br /><br /> The person who foots the bill pays the bill for everybody. <br /><br />Football's a game of two halves <br /><br /> (UK) If something's a game of two halves, it means that it's possible for someone's fortunes or luck to change and the <br /><br /> person who's winning could end up a loser. <br /><br />For a song <br /><br /> If you buy or sell something for a song, it is very cheap. <br /><br />For donkey's years <br /><br /> (UK) If people have done something, usually without much if any change, for an awfully long time, they can be said to <br /><br /> have done it for donkey's years. <br /><br />For England <br /><br /> (UK) A person who talks for England, talks a lot- if you do something for England, you do it a lot or to the limit. <br /><br />For kicks <br /><br /> If you do something for kicks, or just for kicks, you do it purely for fun or thrills. <br /><br /><br /><br />For my money <br /><br /> This idiom means 'in my opinion'. <br /><br />For the time being <br /><br /> For the time being indicates that an action or state will continue into the future, but is temporary. I'm sharing an office <br /><br /> for the time being. <br /><br />Forbidden fruit <br /><br /> Something enjoyable that is illegal or immoral is forbidden fruit. <br /><br />Foregone conclusion <br /><br /> If the result of, say, a football match is a foregone conclusion, then the result is obvious before the game has even <br /><br /> begun. <br /><br />Forest for the trees <br /><br /> (USA) If someone can't see the forest for the trees, they get so caught up in small details that they fail to understand <br /><br /> the bigger picture. <br /><br />Foul play <br /><br /> If the police suspect foul play, they think a crime was committed. <br /><br />Four corners of the earth <br /><br /> If something goes to, or comes from, the four corners of the earth, it goes or comes absolutely everywhere. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Four-square behind <br /><br /> If someone stands four-square behind someone, they give that person their full support. <br /><br />Fourth estate <br /><br /> This is an idiomatic way of describing the media, especially the newspapers. <br /><br />Free rein <br /><br /> If someone has a free rein, they have the authority to make the decisions they want without any restrictions. ('Free <br /><br /> reign' is a common mistake.) <br /><br />Fresh from the oven <br /><br /> If something is fresh from the oven, it is very new. <br /><br />Freudian Slip <br /><br /> If someone makes a Freudian slip, they accidentally use the wrong word, but in doing so reveal what they are really <br /><br /> thinking rather than what they think the other person wants to hear. <br /><br />Friendly footing <br /><br /> When relationships are on a friendly footing, they are going well. <br /><br />From a different angle <br /><br /> If you look at something from a different angle, you look at it from a different point of view. <br /><br />From Missouri <br /><br /> (USA) If someone is from Missouri, then they require clear proof before they will believe something. <br /><br />From pillar to post <br /><br /> If something is going from pillar to post, it is moving around in a meaningless way, from one disaster to another. <br /><br />From rags to riches <br /><br /> Someone who starts life very poor and makes a fortune goes from rags to riches. <br /><br />From scratch <br /><br /> This idiom means 'from the beginning'. <br /><br />From soup to nuts <br /><br /> If you do something from soup to nuts, you do it from the beginning right to the very end. <br /><br />From the bottom of your heart <br /><br /> If someone does something from the bottom of their heart, then they do it with genuine emotion and feeling. <br /><br />From the get-go <br /><br /> (USA) If something happens from the get-go, it happens from the very beginning. <br /><br />From the horse's mouth <br /><br /> If you hear something from the horse's mouth, you hear it directly from the person concerned or responsible. <br /><br />From the sublime to the ridiculous <br /><br /> If something declines considerably in quality or importance, it is said to have gone from the sublime to the ridiculous. <br /><br />From the word go <br /><br /> From the word go means from the very beginning of something. <br /><br />Full circle <br /><br /> When something has come full circle, it has ended up where it started. <br /><br />Full Monty <br /><br /> (UK) If something is the Full Monty, it is the real thing, not reduced in any way. <br /><br />Full of beans <br /><br /> If someone's full of beans, they are very energetic. <br /><br />Full of hot air <br /><br /> Someone who is full of hot air talks a lot of rubbish. <br /><br />Full of piss and vinegar <br /><br /> Someone who's full of piss and vinegar is full of youthful energy. <br /><br />Full of the joys of spring <br /><br /> If you are full of the joys of spring, you are very happy and full of energy. <br /><br />Full swing <br /><br /> If a something is in full swing, it is going or doing well. <br /><br />Fullness of time <br /><br /> If something happens in the fullness of time, it will happen when the time is right and appropriate. <br /><br /><br /><br />~ G ~ <br /><br /><br /><br />Game plan <br /><br /> A game plane is a strategy. <br /><br />Garbage in, garbage out <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> If a computer system or database is built badly, then the results will be bad. <br /><br />Gardening leave <br /><br /> (UK) If someone is paid for a period when they are not working, either after they have given in their notice or when <br /><br /> they are being investigated, they are on gardening leave. <br /><br />Gather pace <br /><br /> If events gather pace, they move faster.<br /> <br /><br />Gather steam <br /><br /> If something gathers speed, it moves or progresses at an increasing speed. <br /><br />Get your feathers in a bunch <br /><br /> If you get your feathers in a bunch, you get upset or angry about something. <br /><br />Get along famously <br /><br /> If people get along famously, they have an exceedingly good relationship. <br /><br />Get away scot-free <br /><br /> If someone gets away scot-free, they are not punished when they have done something wrong. ('Get off scot-free' is an <br /><br /> alternative.) <br /><br />Get in on the ground floor <br /><br /> If you get in on the ground floor, you enter a project or venture at the start before people know how successful it might <br /><br /> be. <br /><br />Get it in the neck <br /><br /> (UK) If you get it in the neck, you are punished or criticised for something. <br /><br />Get my drift <br /><br /> If you get someone's drift, you understand what they are trying to say. ('Catch their drift' is an alternative form.) <br /><br />Get on like a house on fire <br /><br /> If people get on like a house on fire, they have a very close and good relationship. <br /><br />Get on your nerves <br /><br /> If something gets on your nerves, it annoys or irritates you.<br /> <br /><br />Get on your soapbox <br /><br /> If someone on their soapbox, they hold forth (talk a lot) about a subject they feel strongly about. <br /><br />Get out of bed on the wrong side <br /><br /> If you get out of bed on the wrong side, you wake up and start the day in a bad mood for no real reason. <br /><br />Get the ball rolling <br /><br /> If you get the ball rolling, you start something so that it can start making progress. <br /><br />Get the green light <br /><br /> If you get the green light to do something, you are given the necessary permission, authorisation. <br /><br />Get the nod <br /><br /> (UK) If you get the nod to something, you get approval or permission to do it. <br /><br />Get to grips <br /><br /> If you get to grips with something, you take control and do it properly. <br /><br />Get up and go <br /><br /> If someone has lots of get up and go, they have lots of enthusiasm and energy. <br /><br />Get your feet wet <br /><br /> If you get your feet wet, you gain your first experience of something. <br /><br />Get your goat <br /><br /> If something gets your goat, it annoys you. <br /><br />Get your hands dirty <br /><br /> If you get your hands dirty, you become involved in something where the realities might compromise your principles. It <br /><br /> can also mean that a person is not just stuck in an ivory tower dictating strategy, but is prepared to put in the effort and <br /><br /> hard work to make the details actually happen. <br /><br />Get your head around something <br /><br /> If you get your head around something, you come to understand it even though it is difficult to comprehend. <br /><br />Get your teeth into <br /><br /> <p>If you get your teeth into something, you become involved in or do something that is intellectually challenging or <br /><br /> satisfying.</p><p> </p><p>('Dig you teeth into' and 'sink your teeth into' are also used.) </p> <br /><br />Ghost of a chance <br /><br /> If something or someone hasn't got a ghost of a chance, they have no hope whatsoever of succeeding. <br /><br />Ghostly presence <br /><br /> You can feel or otherwise sense a ghostly presence, but you cannot do it clearly only vaguely. <br /><br />Gift of the gab <br /><br /> If someone has the gift of the gab, they speak in a persuasive and interesting way. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Gild the lily <br /><br /> If you gild the lily, you decorate something that is already ornate. <br /><br />Gilded cage <br /><br /> If someone is in a gilded cage, they are trapped and have restricted or no freedom, but have very comfortable <br /><br /> surroundings- many famous people live in luxury but cannot walk out of their house alone. <br /><br />Girl Friday <br /><br /> A girl Friday is a female employee who assists someone without any specific duties. <br /><br />Give a dog a bad name <br /><br /> A person who is generally known to have been guilty of some offence will always be suspected to be the author of all <br /><br /> similar types of offence. Once someone has gained a bad reputation, it is very difficult to lose it. <br /><br />Give and take <br /><br /> Where there is give and take, people make concessions in order to get things they want in negotiations. <br /><br /><br /><br />Give as good as you get <br /><br /> If you give as good as you get, you are prepared to treat people as badly as they treat you and to fight for what you <br /><br /> believe.<br /> <br /><br />Give it some stick <br /><br /> (UK) If you give something some stick, you put a lot of effort into it. <br /><br />Give me a hand <br /><br /> If someone gives you a hand, they help you. <br /><br />Give someone a leg up <br /><br /> If you give someone a leg up, you help them to achieve something that they couldn't have done alone. <br /><br />Give someone a piece of your mind <br /><br /> If you give someone a piece of your mind, you criticise them strongly and angrily. <br /><br />Give someone a run for their money <br /><br /> If you can give someone a run for the money, you are as good, or nearly as good, as they are at something. <br /><br />Give someone enough rope <br /><br /> If you give someone enough rope, you give them the chance to get themselves into trouble or expose themselves. (The <br /><br /> full form is 'give someone enough rope and they'll hang themselves) <br /><br />Give someone stick <br /><br /> (UK) If someone gives you stick, they criticise you or punish you. <br /><br />Give the nod <br /><br /> (UK) If you give the nod to something, you approve it or give permission to do it. <br /><br />Give up the ghost <br /><br /> People give up the ghost when they die. <br /><br />Give your eye teeth <br /><br /> If you really want something and would be prepared to sacrifice a lot to get it, you would give your eye teeth for it. <br /><br />Given the day that's in it <br /><br /> (Irish) This idiom is used when something is obvious because of the day that it occurs: traffic, for example would be <br /><br /> busy around a football stadium on game day, given the day that's in it. On any other day the traffic would be <br /><br /> unexplainable, but because its game day its obvious why there is traffic. <br /><br />Glass ceiling <br /><br /> The glass ceiling is the discrimination that prevents women and minorities from getting promoted to the highest levels <br /><br /> of companies and organisations. <br /><br />Gloves are off <br /><br /> When the gloves are off, people start to argue or fight in a more serious way. ('The gloves come off' and 'take the <br /><br /> gloves off' are also used. It comes from boxing, where fighters normally wear gloves so that they don't do too much <br /><br /> damage to each other.) <br /><br />Glutton for punishment <br /><br /> If a person is described as a glutton for punishment, the happily accept jobs and tasks that most people would try to get <br /><br /> out of. A glutton is a person who eats a lot. <br /><br />Gnaw your vitals <br /><br /> If something gnaws your vitals, it troubles you greatly and affects you at a very deep level. ('Gnaw at your vitals' is also <br /><br /> used.) <br /><br /><br /><br />Go against the grain <br /><br /> A person who does things in an unconventional manner, especially if their methods are not generally approved of, is <br /><br /> said to go against the grain. Such an individual can be called a maverick. <br /><br />Go awry <br /><br /><br /><br /> If things go awry, they go wrong. <br /><br />Go blue <br /><br /> If you go blue, you are very cold indeed. ('Turn blue' is an alternative form.) <br /><br />Go bust <br /><br /> If a company goes bust, it goes bankrupt. <br /><br />Go Dutch <br /><br /> If you go Dutch in a restaurant, you pay equal shares for the meal. <br /><br />Go fly a kite <br /><br /> (USA) This is used to tell someone to go away and leave you alone. <br /><br />Go for broke <br /><br /> If someone goes for broke, they risk everything they have for a potentially greater gain. <br /><br />Go fry an egg <br /><br /> (USA) This is used to tell someone to go away and leave you alone. <br /><br />Go hand in hand <br /><br /> If things go hand in hand, they are associated and go together. <br /><br />Go off on a tangent <br /><br /> If someone goes off on a tangent, they change the subject completely in the middle of a conversation or talk. <br /><br />Go pear-shaped <br /><br /> If things have gone wrong, they have gone pear-shaped. <br /><br />Go play in traffic <br /><br /> This is used as a way of telling someone to go away. <br /><br />Go round in circles <br /><br /> If people are going round in circles, they keep discussing the same thing without reaching any agreement or coming to a <br /><br /> conclusion. <br /><br />Go south <br /><br /> If things go south, they get worse or go wrong. <br /><br />Go spare <br /><br /> (UK) If you go spare, you lose your temper completely. <br /><br />Go the extra mile <br /><br /> If someone is prepared to go the extra mile, they will do everything they can to help or to make something succeed, <br /><br /> going beyond their duty what could be expected of them . <br /><br />Go the whole hog <br /><br /> If you go the whole hog, you do something completely or to its limits. <br /><br /><br /><br />Go to seed <br /><br /> If someone has gone to seed, they have declined in quality or appearance. <br /><br />Go under the hammer <br /><br /> If something goes under the hammer, it is sold in an auction. <br /><br />Go west <br /><br /> If something goes west, it goes wrong. If someone goes west, they die. <br /><br />Go with the flow <br /><br /> If you go with the flow, you accept things as they happen and do what everyone else wants to do. <br /><br />Go-to guy <br /><br /> A go-to guy is a person whose knowledge of something is considerable so everyone wants to go to him or her for <br /><br /> information or results. <br /><br />Golden handshake <br /><br /> A golden handshake is a payment made to someone to get them to leave their job. <br /><br />Golden rule <br /><br /> The golden rule is the most essential or fundamental rule associated with something. Originally, it was not a general <br /><br /> reference to an all purpose first rule applicable to many groups or protocols, but referred to a verse in the Bible about <br /><br /> treating people they way you would want them to treat you, which was considered the First Rule of behavior towards <br /><br /> all by all. <br /><br />Golden touch <br /><br /> Someone with a golden touch can make money from or be successful at anything they do. <br /><br />Gone fishing <br /><br /> If someone has gone fishing, they are not very aware of what is happening around them. <br /><br />Gone for a burton <br /><br /> (UK) If something's gone for a burton, it has been spoiled or ruined. If a person has gone for a burton, they are either in <br /><br /> serious trouble or have died. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Gone pear-shaped <br /><br /> (UK) If things have gone pear-shaped they have either gone wrong or produced an unexpected and unwanted result. <br /><br />Gone to pot <br /><br /> If something has gone to pot, it has gone wrong and doesn't work any more. <br /><br />Gone to the dogs <br /><br /> If something has gone to the dogs, it has gone badly wrong and lost all the good things it had. <br /><br />Good antennae <br /><br /> Someone with good antennae is good at detecting things. <br /><br />Good egg <br /><br /> A person who can be relied on is a good egg. Bad egg is the opposite. <br /><br /><br /><br />Good fences make good neighbours <br /><br /> <p>This means that it is better for people to mind their own business and to respect the privacy of <br /><br /> others.</p><p>('Good fences make good neighbors' is the American English spelling.) </p> <br /><br />Good shape <br /><br /> If something's in good shape, it's in good condition. If a person's in good shape, they are fit and healthy. <br /><br />Good spell <br /><br /> A spell can mean a fairly or relatively short period of time; you'll hear weather forecasts predict a dry spell. Sports <br /><br /> commentators will say that a sportsperson is going through a good spell when they're performing consistently better <br /><br /> than they normally do. <br /><br />Good time <br /><br /> If you make good time on a journey, you manage to travel faster than you expected. <br /><br />Good walls make good neighbours <br /><br /> Your relationship with your neighbours depends, among other things, on respecting one another's privacy. <br /><br />Goody two-shoes <br /><br /> A goody two-shoes is a self-righteous person who makes a great deal of their virtue. <br /><br />Grab the bulls by its horns <br /><br /> If you grab (take) the bull by its horns, you deal head-on and directly with a problem. <br /><br />Grain of salt <br /><br /> If you should take something with a grain of salt, you shouldn't necessarily believe it all. ('pinch of salt' is an alternative) <br /><br />Grain of salt <br /><br /> If you should take something with a grain of salt, you shouldn't accept it as true without looking more carefully at it. <br /><br />Grasp the nettle <br /><br /> (UK) If you grasp the nettle, you deal bravely with a problem. <br /><br />Grass roots <br /><br /> This idioms is often used in politics, where it refers to the ordinary people or voters. It can be used to mean people at <br /><br /> the bottom of a hierarchy. <br /><br />Grass widow <br /><br /> A grass widow is a woman whose husband is often away on work, leaving her on her own. <br /><br />Graveyard shift <br /><br /> If you have to work very late at night, it is the graveyard shift. <br /><br />Gravy train <br /><br /> If someone is on the gravy train, they have found and easy way to make lots of money. <br /><br />Grease monkey <br /><br /> A grease monkey is an idiomatic term for a mechanic. <br /><br />Grease someone's palm <br /><br /> If you grease someone's palm, you bribe them to do something. <br /><br />Grease the skids <br /><br /> If you grease the skids, you facilitate something. <br /><br />Greased lightning <br /><br /> If something or someone moves like greased lightning, they move very fast indeed. <br /><br />Great guns <br /><br /> If something or someone is going great guns, they are doing very well. <br /><br /><br /><br />Great Scott <br /><br /> An exclamation of surprise. <br /><br />Great unwashed <br /><br /> This is a term used for the working class masses. <br /><br />Great white hope <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> Someone who is expected to be a great success is a great white hope. <br /><br />Greek to me <br /><br /> If you don't understand something, it's all Greek to you. <br /><br />Green around the gills <br /><br /> If someone looks green around the gills, they look ill. <br /><br />Green fingers <br /><br /> (UK) Someone with green fingers has a talent for gardening. <br /><br />Green light <br /><br /> If you are given the green light, you are given approval to do something. <br /><br />Green thumb <br /><br /> (USA) Someone with a talent for gardening has a green thumb. <br /><br />Green-eyed monster <br /><br /> The green-eyed monster is an allegorical phrase for somebody's strong jealousy <br /><br />Greenhorn <br /><br /> A greenhorn or someone who is described simply as green lacks the relevant experience and knowledge for their job or <br /><br /> task <br /><br />Grey area <br /><br /> A grey/gray area is one where there is no clear right or wrong. <br /><br />Grey matter <br /><br /> Grey/gray matter is the human brain. <br /><br />Grey pound <br /><br /> (UK) In the UK, the grey pound is an idiom for the economic power of elderly people. <br /><br />Grey suits <br /><br /> The men in grey suits are people who have a lot of power in business or politics, but aren't well-known or charismatic. <br /><br /><br /><br />Grin and bear it <br /><br /> If you have to grin and bear it, you have to accept something that you don't like. <br /><br />Grin like a Cheshire cat <br /><br /> If someone has a very wide smile, they have a grin like a Cheshire cat. <br /><br />Grist for the mill <br /><br /> Something that you can use to your advantage is grist for the mill. ('Grist to the mill' is also used.) <br /><br />Guinea-pig <br /><br /> If you are a guinea-pig, you take part in an experiment of some sort and are used in the testing. <br /><br />Gunboat diplomacy <br /><br /> If a nation conducts its diplomatic relations by threatening military action to get what it wants, it is using gunboat <br /><br /> diplomacy. <br /><br />Gung ho <br /><br /> If someone is gung ho about something, they support it blindly and don't think about the consequences. <br /><br /><br /><br />~ H ~ <br /><br /><br /><br />Hair of the dog <br /><br /> If someone has a hair of the dog, they have an alcoholic drink as a way of getting rid of a hangover, the unpleasant <br /><br /> effects of having drunk too much alcohol the night before. It is commonly used as a way of excusing having a drink early <br /><br /> on in the day. <br /><br />Hairy at the heel <br /><br /> (UK) Someone who is hairy at the heel is dangerous or untrustworthy. <br /><br />Hale and hearty <br /><br /> Someone who is hale and hearty is in very good health. <br /><br />Half a mind <br /><br /> If you have half a mind to do something, you haven't decided to do it, but are thinking seriously about doing it.<br /> <br /><br />Half-baked <br /><br /> A half-baked idea or scheme hasn't not been thought through or planned very well. <br /><br />Hammer and tongs <br /><br /> If people are going at it hammer and tongs, they are arguing fiercely. The idiom can also be used hen people are doing <br /><br /> something energetically. <br /><br />Hand in glove <br /><br /> If people are hand in glove, they have an extremely close relationship. <br /><br />Hand that rocks the cradle <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> Women have a great power and influence because they have the greatest influence over the development of children- <br /><br /> the hand that rocks the cradle. ('The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world' is the full form.) <br /><br />Hand to mouth <br /><br /> Someone who's living from hand to mouth, is very poor and needs the little money they have coming in to cover their <br /><br /> expenses. <br /><br />Hands down <br /><br /> If someone is better hands down than everyone else, they are much better. <br /><br />Handwriting like chicken scratch <br /><br /> If your handwriting is very hard to read, it is like chicken scratch. <br /><br />Hang by a thread <br /><br /> If something hangs by a thread, there is a very small chance indeed of it being successful or surviving. <br /><br /><br /><br />Hang in the balance <br /><br /> If an outcome is hanging in the balance, there are at least two possibilities and it is impossible to predict which will win <br /><br /> out. <br /><br />Hang out to dry <br /><br /> If you hang someone out to dry, you abandon them when they are in trouble. <br /><br />Hangdog expression <br /><br /> A hangdog expression is one where the person's showing their emotions very clearly, maybe a little too clearly for your <br /><br /> liking. It's that mixture of misery and self-pity that is similar to a dog when it's trying to get something it wants but <br /><br /> daren't take without permission. <br /><br />Hanged for a sheep as a lamb <br /><br /> This is an expression meaning that if you are going to get into trouble for doing something, then you ought to stop <br /><br /> worrying and should try to get everything you can before you get caught. <br /><br />Hard as nails <br /><br /> A person who is as hard as nails is either physically tough or has little or no respect for other people's feelings. <br /><br />Hard cheese <br /><br /> (UK) Hard cheese means hard luck. <br /><br />Hard of hearing <br /><br /> Someone who's hard of hearing is a bit deaf. <br /><br />Hard sell <br /><br /> If someone puts a lot of pressure on you to do or buy something, they are hard selling it. <br /><br />Haste makes waste <br /><br /> This idiom means that if you try to do something quickly, without planning it, you're likely to end up spending more <br /><br /> time, money, etc, doing it. <br /><br />Hat trick <br /><br /> Three successes one after the other is a hat trick. <br /><br />Hatchet job <br /><br /> A piece of criticism that destroys someone's reputation is a hatchet job. <br /><br />Have a bash <br /><br /> If you have a bash at something, you try to do it, especially when there isn't much chance of success. <br /><br />Have a go <br /><br /> If you have a go, you try to do something, often when you don't think you have much chance of succeeding.<br /> <br /><br />Have a trick up your sleeve <br /><br /> If you have a trick up your sleeve, you have a secret strategy to use when the time is right. <br /><br />Have the floor <br /><br /> If someone has the floor, it is their turn to speak at a meeting. <br /><br />Have your cake and eat it too <br /><br /> If someone wants to have their cake and eat it too, they want everything their way, especially when their wishes are <br /><br /> contradictory. <br /><br />Have your collar felt <br /><br /> If someone has their collar felt, they are arrested. <br /><br />Have your tail up <br /><br /> If someone has their tail up, they are optimistic and expect to be successful. <br /><br />Have your work cut out <br /><br /> If you have your work cut out, you are very busy indeed. <br /><br />Having a gas <br /><br /> If you're having a gas, you are having a laugh and enjoying yourself in company. <br /><br />He'll rue the day <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> He'll rue the day that he crossed me. This means that the person will one day bitterly regret what they have done. <br /><br />Head for the hills <br /><br /> If people head for the hills, they run away from trouble. <br /><br />Head is in the clouds <br /><br /> If a person has their head in the clouds, they have unrealistic, impractical ideas. <br /><br />Head nor tail <br /><br /> If you can't make head nor tail of something, you cannot understand it at all or make any sense of it. <br /><br />Head on a spike <br /><br /> If someone wants a head on a spike, they want to be able to destroy or really punish a person. <br /><br />Head on the block <br /><br /> If someone's head is on the block, they are going to be held responsible and suffer the consequences for something <br /><br /> that has gone wrong. <br /><br />Head over heels in love <br /><br /> When someone falls passionately in love and is intoxicated by the feeling has fallen head over heels in love. <br /><br />Heads will roll <br /><br /> If heads will roll, people will be punished or sacked for something that has gone wrong. <br /><br />Headstrong <br /><br /> A headstrong person is obstinate and does not take other people's advice readily. <br /><br />Healthy as a horse <br /><br /> If you're as healthy as a horse, you're very healthy. <br /><br />Hear a pin drop <br /><br /> If there is complete silence in a room, you can hear a pin drop. <br /><br />Hear on the grapevine <br /><br /> To receive information indirectly through a series of third parties, similar to a rumour. <br /><br />Heart in the right place <br /><br /> If someone's heart is in the right place, they are good and kind, though they might not always appear to be so. <br /><br />Heart in the right place <br /><br /> If someone's heart is in the right place, their intentions and feelings are good. <br /><br />Heart in your boots <br /><br /> If you're heart is in your boots, you are very unhappy. <br /><br />Heart in your mouth <br /><br /> If your heart is in your mouth, then you feel nervous or scared. <br /><br />Heart isn't in it <br /><br /> If your heart is not in something, then you don't really believe in it or support it. <br /><br />Heart misses a beat <br /><br /> If your heart misses a beat, you are suddenly shocked or surprised. ('Heart skips a beat' is an alternative) <br /><br />Heart of gold <br /><br /> Someone with a heart of gold is a genuinely kind and caring person. <br /><br />Heaven knows <br /><br /> If you ask someone a question and they say this, they have no idea. <br /><br />Heavenly bodies <br /><br /> The heavenly bodies are the stars. <br /><br />Heavy-handed <br /><br /> If someone is heavy-handed, they are insensitive and use excessive force or authority when dealing with a problem. <br /><br />Hedge your bets <br /><br /> If you hedge your bets, you don't risk everything on one opportunity, but try more than one thing. <br /><br />Hell for leather <br /><br /> If you do something hell for leather, especially running, you do it as fast as you can. <br /><br />Hell in a handcart <br /><br /> If something is going to hell in a handcart, it is getting worse and worse, with no hope of stopping the decline. <br /><br />Herding cats <br /><br /> If you have to try to co-ordinate a very difficult situation, where people want to do very different things, you are <br /><br /> herding cats. <br /><br /><br /><br />Here today, gone tomorrow <br /><br /> Money, happiness and other desirable things are often here today, gone tomorrow, which means that they don't last <br /><br /> for very long. <br /><br />Hiding to nothing <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> If people are on a hiding to nothing, their schemes and plans have no chance of succeeding. 'Hiding to nowhere' is an <br /><br /> alternative. <br /><br />High and dry <br /><br /> If you are left high and dry, you are left alone and given no help at all when you need it. <br /><br />High and mighty <br /><br /> The high and mighty are the people with authority and power. If a person is high and mighty, they behave in a superior <br /><br /> and condescending way. <br /><br />High-handed <br /><br /> If someone is high-handed, they behave arrogantly and pompously. <br /><br />High-wire act <br /><br /> A high-wire act is a dangerous or risky strategy, plan, task, etc. <br /><br />Himalayan blunder <br /><br /> A Himalayan blunder is a very serious mistake or error.<br /> <br /><br />Hit a nerve <br /><br /> If something hits a nerve, it upsets someone or causes them pain, often when it is something they are trying to hide. <br /><br />Hit and miss <br /><br /> Something that is hit and miss is unpredictable and may produce results or may fail. <br /><br />Hit the airwaves <br /><br /> If someone hits the airwaves, they go on radio and TV to promote something or to tell their side of a story. <br /><br />Hit the bull's-eye <br /><br /> If someone hits the bull's-eye, they are exactly right about something or achieve the best result possible. "Bulls-eye" <br /><br /> and "bullseye" are alternative spellings. <br /><br />Hit the ceiling <br /><br /> If someone hits the ceiling, they lose their temper and become very angry. <br /><br />Hit the fan <br /><br /> When it hits the fan, or, more rudely, the shit hits the fan, serious trouble starts. <br /><br />Hit the ground running <br /><br /> If someone hits the ground running, they start a new job or position in a very dynamic manner. <br /><br />Hit the hay <br /><br /> When you hit the hay, you go to bed. <br /><br />Hit the mark <br /><br /> If someone hits the mark, they are right about something. <br /><br />Hit the nail on the head. <br /><br /> If someone hits the nail on the head, they are exactly right about something. <br /><br />Hit the road <br /><br /> When people hit the road, they leave a place to go somewhere else. <br /><br />Hit the roof <br /><br /> If you lose your temper and get very angry, you hit the roof. <br /><br />Hit the sack <br /><br /> When you hit the sack, you go to bed. <br /><br />Hoist with your own petard <br /><br /> If you are hoist with your own petard, you get into trouble or caught in a trap that you had set for someone else. <br /><br />Hold all the aces <br /><br /> If you hold all the aces, you have all the advantages and your opponents or rivals are in a weak position. <br /><br />Hold the baby <br /><br /> (UK) If someone is responsible for something, they are holding the baby. <br /><br />Hold the bag <br /><br /> (USA) If someone is responsible for something, they are holding the bag. <br /><br />Hold the fort <br /><br /> If you hold the fort, you look after something or assume someone's responsibilities while they are away. <br /><br />Hold your horses <br /><br /> If someone tells you to hold your horses, you are doing something too fast and they would like you to slow down. <br /><br />Hold your own <br /><br /> If you can hold your own, you can compete or perform equally with other people. <br /><br />Holier-than-thou <br /><br /> Someone who is holier-than-thou believes that they are morally superior to other people. <br /><br />Hollow victory <br /><br /> A hollow victory is where someone wins something in name, but are seen not to have gained anything by winning. <br /><br />Holy smoke! <br /><br /><br /><br /> This is a way of expressing surprise: "Holy smoke! Look at all of those geese!" <br /><br />Home stretch <br /><br /> The home stretch is the last part of something, like a journey, race or project. <br /><br />Home, James <br /><br /> (UK) This is a cliched way of telling the driver of a vehicle to start driving. It is supposed to be an order to a chauffeur (a <br /><br /> privately employed driver). <br /><br />Honest truth <br /><br /> If someone claims that something is the honest truth, they wish to sound extra-sincere about something. <br /><br />Honours are even <br /><br /> If honours are even, then a competition has ended with neither side emerging as a winner. <br /><br /><br /><br />Hook, line, and sinker <br /><br /> If somebody accepts or believes something hook, line, and sinker, they accept it completely. <br /><br />Hop, skip, and a jump <br /><br /> If a place is a hop, skip, and a jump from somewhere, it's only a short distance away. <br /><br />Hope against hope <br /><br /> If you hope against hope, you hope for something even though there is little or no chance of your wish being fulfilled. <br /><br />Hope in hell <br /><br /> If something hasn't got a hope in hell, it stands absolutely no chance of succeeding. <br /><br />Hornets' nest <br /><br /> If you stir up a hornets' nest, you do something very controversial that causes a lot of trouble and anger. <br /><br />Hornets' nest <br /><br /> A hornets' nest is a violent situation or one with a lot of dispute. (If you create the problem, you 'stir up a hornets' <br /><br /> nest'.) <br /><br />Horns of a dilemma <br /><br /> If you are on the horns of a dilemma, you are faced with two equally unpleasant options and have to choose one. <br /><br />Horse of a different color <br /><br /> (USA) If something is a horse of a different color, it's a different matter or separate issue altogether. <br /><br />Horse trading <br /><br /> Horse trading is an idiom used to describe negotiations, especially where these are difficult and involve a lot of <br /><br /> compromise. <br /><br />Horses for courses <br /><br /> Horses for courses means that what is suitable for one person or situation might be unsuitable for another. <br /><br />Hostile takeover <br /><br /> If a company is bought out when it does not want to be, it is known as a hostile takeover. <br /><br />Hot air <br /><br /> Language that is full of words but means little or nothing is hot air. <br /><br />Hot as blue blazes <br /><br /> If something's as hot as blue blazes, it's extremely hot. <br /><br />Hot as Hades <br /><br /> If something's as hot as Hades, it's extremely hot. <br /><br />Hot button <br /><br /> (USA) A hot button is a topic or issue that people feel very strongly about. <br /><br />Hot foot <br /><br /> If you hot foot it out of a place, you leave very quickly, often running. <br /><br />Hot ticket <br /><br /> (USA) A hot ticket is something that is very much in demand at the moment. <br /><br />Hot under the collar <br /><br /> If you're hot under the collar, you're feeling angry or bothered. <br /><br />Hot water <br /><br /> If you get into hot water, you get into trouble. <br /><br />Hot-blooded <br /><br /> Someone who is hot-blooded is easily excitable or passionate. <br /><br />Hot-headed <br /><br /> A hot-headed person gets angry very easily. (The noun 'hothead' can also be used.) <br /><br />How come <br /><br /> If you want to show disbelief or surprise about an action, you can ask a question using 'how come'. How come he got <br /><br /> the job? (You can't believe that they gave the job to somebody like him) <br /><br />How do you like them apples <br /><br /><br /><br /> (USA) This idiomatic expression is used to express surprise or shock at something that has happened. It can also be used <br /><br /> to boast about something you have done. <br /><br />How long is a piece of string <br /><br /> If someone has no idea of the answer to a question, they can ask 'How long is a piece of string?' as a way of indicating <br /><br /> their ignorance. <br /><br />How's tricks? <br /><br /> This is used as a way of asking people how they are and how things have been going in their life. <br /><br />Hue and cry <br /><br /> Hue and cry is an expression that used to mean all the people who joined in chasing a criminal or villain. Nowadays, if <br /><br /> you do something without hue and cry, you do it discreetly and without drawing attention. <br /><br /><br /><br />~ I ~ <br /><br /><br /><br />I hereby give notice of my intention <br /><br /> Hereby is used sometimes in formal, official declarations and statements to give greater force to the speaker' or the <br /><br /> writer's affirmation. People will say it sometimes to emphasise their sincerity and correctness. <br /><br />I should cocoa <br /><br /> (UK) This idiom comes from 'I should think so', but is normally used sarcastically to mean the opposite. <br /><br />I'll eat my hat <br /><br /> You can say this when you are absolutely sure that you are right to let the other person know that there is no chance of <br /><br /> your being wrong. <br /><br />I've got a bone to pick with you <br /><br /> If somebody says this, they mean that they have some complaint to make against the person they are addressing. <br /><br />I've got your number <br /><br /> You have made a mistake and I am going to call you on it. You are in trouble (a threat). I have a disagreement with you. <br /><br /> I understand your true nature. <br /><br />If it ain't broke, don't fix it <br /><br /> Any attempt to improve on a system that already works is pointless and may even hurt it. <br /><br />If the cap fits, wear it <br /><br /> This idiom means that if the description is correct, then it is describing the truth, often when someone is being <br /><br /> criticised. ('If the shoe fits, wear it' is an alternative) <br /><br />If wishes were horses, beggars would ride <br /><br /> This means that wishing for something or wanting it is not the same as getting or having it. <br /><br />If you will <br /><br /> 'If you will' is used as a way of making a concession in a sentence: He wasn't a very honest person, a liar if you will. <br /><br /> Here, it is used a way of accepting that the reader or listener might think of the person as a liar, but without commit the <br /><br /> writer or speaker to that position fully. <br /><br />If you'll pardon my French <br /><br /> (UK) This idiom is used as a way of apologising for swearing. <br /><br />Ill-gotten gains <br /><br /> Ill-gotten gains are profits or benefits that are made either illegally or unfairly. <br /><br />In a cleft stick <br /><br /> If you are in a cleft stick, you are in a difficult situation, caught between choices. <br /><br />In a flash <br /><br /> If something happens in a flash, it happens very quickly indeed. <br /><br />In a heartbeat <br /><br /> If something happens very quickly or immediately, it happens in a heartbeat. <br /><br />In a jam <br /><br /> If you are in a jam, you are in some trouble. <br /><br />In a jiffy <br /><br /> If something happens in a jiffy, it happens very quickly. <br /><br />In a nutshell <br /><br /> This idiom is used to introduce a concise summary. <br /><br />In a pickle <br /><br /> If you are in a pickle, you are in some trouble or a mess. <br /><br />In a tick <br /><br /><br /><br /> (UK) If someone will do something in a tick, they'll do it very soon or very quickly. <br /><br />In all honesty <br /><br /> If you say something in all honesty, you are telling the complete truth. It can be used as a way of introducing a negative <br /><br /> opinion whilst trying to be polite; in all honesty, I have to say that I wasn't very impressed. <br /><br />In an instant <br /><br /> If something happens in an instant, it happens very rapidly. <br /><br />In broad daylight <br /><br /> If a crime or problem happens in broad daylight, it happens during the day and should have been seen and stopped. <br /><br />In cahoots <br /><br /> If people are in cahoots, they are conspiring together. <br /><br />In cold blood <br /><br /> If something is done in cold blood, it is done ruthlessly, without any emotion. <br /><br />In dire straits <br /><br /> If you're in dire straits, you're in serious trouble or difficulties. <br /><br />In donkey's years <br /><br /> 'I haven't seen her in donkey's years.' - This means for a very long time. <br /><br />In dribs and drabs <br /><br /> If people arrive in dribs and drabs, they come in small groups at irregular intervals, instead of all arriving at the same <br /><br /> time. <br /><br />In droves <br /><br /> When things happen in droves, a lot happen at the same time or very quickly. <br /><br />In for a penny, in for a pound <br /><br /> If something is worth doing then it is a case of in for a penny, in for a pound, which means that when gambling or taking <br /><br /> a chance, you might as well go the whole way and take all the risks, not just some. <br /><br />In full swing <br /><br /> If things are in full swing, they have been going for a sufficient period of time to be going well and very actively. <br /><br />In high gear <br /><br /> (USA) If something is in high gear, it is in a quick-paced mode. If someone is in high gear, they are feverishly on the fast <br /><br /> track. <br /><br />In hot water <br /><br /> If you are in hot water, you are in serious trouble. <br /><br /><br /><br />In my bad books <br /><br /> If you are in someone's bad books, they are angry with you. Likewise, if you are in their good books, they are pleased <br /><br /> with you. <br /><br />In my book <br /><br /> This idiom means 'in my opinion'. <br /><br />In my good books <br /><br /> If someone is in your good books, you are pleased with or think highly of them at the moment. <br /><br />In one ear and out the other <br /><br /> If something goes in one ear and out the other, you forget it as soon as you've heard it because it was too complicated, <br /><br /> boring etc. <br /><br />In over your head <br /><br /> If someone is in over their head, they are out of the depth in something they are involved in, and may end up in a mess. <br /><br />In rude health <br /><br /> (UK) If someone's in rude health, they are very healthy and look it. <br /><br />In someone's pocket <br /><br /> If a person is in someone's pocket, they are dependent, especially financially, on them. <br /><br />In spades <br /><br /> (UK) If you have something in spades, you have a lot of it. <br /><br />In stitches <br /><br /> If someone is in stitches, they are laughing uncontrollably. <br /><br />In tandem <br /><br /> If people do things in tandem, they do them at the same time. <br /><br />In the black <br /><br /> If your bank account is in credit, it is in the black. <br /><br />In the club <br /><br /> (UK) If a woman's in the club, she's pregnant. 'In the pudding club' is an alternative form. <br /><br />In the dock <br /><br /><br /><br /> If someone is in the dock, they are on trial in court. <br /><br />In the doghouse <br /><br /> If someone is in the doghouse, they are in disgrace and very unpopular at the moment. <br /><br />In the doghouse <br /><br /> If someone is in the doghouse, they are in disgrace because they have done something wrong. <br /><br />In the face of <br /><br /> If people act in the face of something, they do it despite it or when threatened by it. <br /><br />In the family way <br /><br /> If a woman is in the family way, she is pregnant. <br /><br />In the flesh <br /><br /> If you meet or see someone in the flesh you actually meet or see them, rather than seeing them on TV or in other <br /><br /> media. <br /><br />In the hot seat <br /><br /> If someone's in the hot seat, they are the target for a lot of unwelcome criticism and examination. <br /><br />In the know <br /><br /> If you are in the know, you have access to all the information about something, which other people don't have. <br /><br />In the long run <br /><br /> This means 'over a long period of time', 'in the end' or 'in the final result'. <br /><br />In the loop <br /><br /> If you're in the loop, you are fully informed about what is happening in a certain area or activity. <br /><br />In the making <br /><br /> When something is in the making, it means it is in the process of being made. <br /><br />In the offing <br /><br /> If something is in the offing, it is very likely to happen soon. <br /><br />In the pink <br /><br /> If you are in very good health, you are in the pink. <br /><br />In the pipeline <br /><br /> If something's in the pipeline, it hasn't arrived yet but its arrival is expected. <br /><br />In the red <br /><br /> If your bank account is overdrawn, it is in the red. <br /><br />In the same boat <br /><br /> If people are in the same boat, they are in the same predicament or trouble. <br /><br />In the soup <br /><br /> If you're in the soup, you're in trouble. <br /><br />In the swim <br /><br /> If you are in the swim, you are up-to-date with and fully informed about something. <br /><br />In the swing <br /><br /> If things are in the swing, they are progressing well. <br /><br />In the twinkling of an eye <br /><br /> If something happens in the twinkling of an eye, it happens very quickly. <br /><br />In turn <br /><br /> This means one after the other. Example: She spoke to each of the guests in turn. <br /><br />In two minds <br /><br /> If you are in two minds about something, you can't decide what to do. <br /><br />In your element <br /><br /> If you are in your element, you feel happy and relaxed because you are doing something that you like doing and are <br /><br /> good at. "You should have seen her when they asked her to sing; she was in her element." <br /><br />In your face <br /><br /> If someone is in your face, they are direct and confrontational. (It is sometime written 'in yer face'colloquially) <br /><br />In your sights <br /><br /> If you have someone or something in your sights, they are your target to beat. <br /><br />Indian file <br /><br /> If people walk in Indian file, they walk in a line one behind the other. <br /><br />Indian giver <br /><br /> An Indian giver gives something, then tries to take it back. <br /><br />Indian summer <br /><br /> If there is a period of warmer weather in late autumn, it is an Indian summer. <br /><br />Ins and outs <br /><br /> If you know the ins and outs of something, you know all the details. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Into each life some rain must fall <br /><br /> This means that bad or unfortunate things will happen to everyone at some time. <br /><br />Into thin air <br /><br /> If something vanishes or disappears without trace, it vanishes into thin air; no-one knows where it has gone. <br /><br />Iron fist <br /><br /> Someone who rules or controls something with an iron fist is in absolute control and tolerates no dissent. An iron fist in <br /><br /> a velvet glove is used to describe someone who appears soft on the outside, but underneath is very hard. 'Mailed fist' is <br /><br /> an alternative form. <br /><br />Irons in the fire <br /><br /> A person who has a few irons in the fire has a number of things working to their advantage at the same time. <br /><br />Is Saul also among the prophets? <br /><br /> It's a biblical idiom used when somebody known for something bad appears all of a sudden to be doing something very <br /><br /> good. <br /><br />It ain't over till the fat lady sings <br /><br /> This idiom means that until something has officially finished, the result is uncertain. <br /><br />It cost an arm and a leg <br /><br /> If something costs an arm and a leg, it is very expensive indeed. <br /><br />It cost the earth <br /><br /> If something costs the earth, it is very expensive indeed. <br /><br />It never rains but it pours <br /><br /> 'It never rains but it pours' means that when things go wrong, they go very wrong. <br /><br />It takes two to tango <br /><br /> This idiom is used to suggest that when things go wrong, both sides are involved and neither side is completely <br /><br /> innocent. <br /><br />It's an ill wind that blows no good <br /><br /> This is said when things have gone wrong; the idea being that when bad things happen, there can also be some positive <br /><br /> results. <br /><br />It's no use crying over spilt milk <br /><br /> This idiom means that getting upset after something has gone wrong is pointless; it can't be changed so it should be <br /><br /> accepted. <br /><br />Ivory tower <br /><br /> People who live in ivory towers are detached from the world around them. <br /><br /><br /><br />~ J ~ <br /><br /><br /><br />Jack Frost <br /><br /> If everything has frozen in winter, then Jack Frost has visited. <br /><br />Jack-of-all-trades <br /><br /> A jack-of-all-trades is someone that can do many different jobs. <br /><br />Jam tomorrow <br /><br /> (UK) This idiom is used when people promise good things for the future that will never come. <br /><br />Jane Doe <br /><br /> Jane Doe is a name given to an unidentified female who may be party to legal proceedings, or to an unidentified person <br /><br /> in hospital, or dead. John Doe is the male equivalent. <br /><br />Jersey justice <br /><br /> (UK) Jersey justice is very severe justice. <br /><br />Jet-black <br /><br /> To emphasise just how black something is, such as someone's hair, we can call it jet-black. <br /><br />Job's comforter <br /><br /> Someone who says they want to comfort, but actually discomforts people is a Job's comforter. (Job's is pronounced <br /><br /> 'jobes', not 'jobs') <br /><br />Jobs for the boys <br /><br /> Where people give jobs, contracts, etc, to their friends and associates, these are jobs for the boys. <br /><br />Jockey for position <br /><br /> If a number of people want the same opportunity and are struggling to emerge as the most likely candidate, they are <br /><br /> jockeying for position. <br /><br />John Doe <br /><br /><br /><br /> John Doe is a name given to an unidentified male who may be party to legal proceedings, or to an unidentified person <br /><br /> in hospital, or dead. Jane Doe is the female equivalent. <br /><br />John Q Public <br /><br /> (USA) John Q Public is the typical, average person. <br /><br />Johnny-come-lately <br /><br /> A Johnny-come-lately is someone who has recently joined something or arrived somewhere, especially when they want <br /><br /> to make changes that are not welcome. <br /><br />Joined at the hip <br /><br /> If people are joined at the hip, they are very closely connected and think the same way. <br /><br /><br /><br />Juggle frogs <br /><br /> If you are juggling frogs, you are trying to do something very difficult. <br /><br />Jump on the bandwagon <br /><br /> If people jump on the bandwagon, they get involved in something that has recently become very popular. <br /><br />Jump the gun <br /><br /> If you jump the gun, you start doing something before the appropriate time. <br /><br />Jump through hoops <br /><br /> If you are prepared to jump through hoops for someone, you are prepared to make great efforts and sacrifices for <br /><br /> them. <br /><br />Jungle out there <br /><br /> If someone says that it is a jungle out there, they mean that the situation is dangerous and there are no rules. <br /><br />Jury's out <br /><br /> If the jury's out on an issue, then there is no general agreement or consensus on it. <br /><br />Just around the corner <br /><br /> If something is just around the corner, then it is expected to happen very soon. <br /><br />Just coming up to <br /><br /> If the time is just coming up to nine o'clock, it means that it will be nine o'clock in a very few seconds. You'll hear them <br /><br /> say it on the radio in the morning. <br /><br />Just deserts <br /><br /> If a bad or evil person gets their just deserts, they get the punishment or suffer the misfortune that it is felt they <br /><br /> deserve. <br /><br />Just in the nick of time <br /><br /> If you do something in the nick of time, you just manage to do it just in time, with seconds to spare. <br /><br />Just off the boat <br /><br /> If someone is just off the boat, they are naive and inexperienced. <br /><br />Just what the doctor ordered <br /><br /> If something's just what the doctor ordered, it is precisely what is needed. <br /><br /><br /><br />~ K ~ <br /><br /><br /><br />Kangaroo court <br /><br /> When people take the law into their own hands and form courts that are not legal, these are known as kangaroo court. <br /><br />Keen as mustard <br /><br /> (UK) If someone is very enthusiastic, they are as keen as mustard. <br /><br />Keep abreast <br /><br /> If you keep abreast of things, you stay informed about developments. <br /><br />Keep at bay <br /><br /> If you keep someone or something at bay, you maintain a safe distance from them. <br /><br />Keep body and soul together <br /><br /> If you earn enough to cover your basic expenses, but nothing more than that, you earn enough to keep body and soul <br /><br /> together. <br /><br />Keep it under your hat <br /><br /> If you keep something under your hat, you keep it secret. <br /><br />Keep mum <br /><br /> If you keep mum about something, you keep quiet and don't tell anyone. <br /><br />Keep posted <br /><br /> If you keep posted about something, you keep up-to-date with information and developments. <br /><br />Keep someone at arm's length <br /><br /> If you keep someone or something at arm's length, you keep a safe distance away from them. <br /><br />Keep the wolf at bay <br /><br /> If you keep the wolf at bay, you make enough money to avoid going hungry or falling heavily into debt. <br /><br />Keep up with the Joneses <br /><br /> People who try to keep up with the Joneses are competitive about material possessions and always try to have the <br /><br /> latest and best things. <br /><br />Keep your chin up <br /><br /> (UK) This expression is used to tell someone to have confidence. <br /><br />Keep your chin up <br /><br /> This idiom is used as a way of encouraging someone and telling them not to give up. <br /><br />Keep your ear to the ground <br /><br /> If you keep your ear to the ground, you try to keep informed about something, especially if there are rumours or <br /><br /> uncertainties. <br /><br />Keep your eye on the ball <br /><br /> If you keep your eye on the ball, you stay alert and pay close attention to what is happening. <br /><br />Keep your eyes peeled <br /><br /> If you keep your eyes peeled, you stay alert or watchful. <br /><br />Keep your fingers crossed <br /><br /> If you are keeping your fingers crossed, you are hoping for a positive outcome. <br /><br />Keep your hair on <br /><br /> Keep your hair on is advice telling someone to keep calm and not to over-react or get angry. <br /><br />Keep your head above water <br /><br /> If you are just managing to survive financially, you are keeping your head above water. <br /><br />Keep your nose clean <br /><br /> If someone is trying to keep their Nose Clean, they are trying to stay out of trouble by not getting involved in any sort of <br /><br /> wrong-doing. <br /><br /><br /><br />Keep your nose to the grindstone <br /><br /> If you keep your nose to the grindstone, you work hard and seriously. <br /><br />Keep your options open <br /><br /> If someone's keeping their options open, they aren't going to restrict themselves or rule out any possible course of <br /><br /> action. <br /><br />Keep your pecker up <br /><br /> If someone tells you to keep your pecker up, they are telling you not to let your problems get on top of you and to try <br /><br /> to be optimistic. <br /><br />Keep your powder dry <br /><br /> If you keep your powder dry, you act cautiously so as not to damage your chances. <br /><br />Keep your shirt on! <br /><br /> This idiom is used to tell someone to calm down. <br /><br />Keep your wig on! <br /><br /> (UK) This idiom is used to tell someone to calm down. <br /><br />Kettle of fish <br /><br /> A pretty or fine kettle of fish is a difficult problem or situation. <br /><br />Kick a habit <br /><br /> If you kick a habit, you stop doing it. <br /><br />Kick away the ladder <br /><br /> If someone kicks away the ladder, they remove something that was supporting or helping someone. <br /><br />Kick in the teeth <br /><br /> Bad news or a sudden disappointment are a kick in the teeth. <br /><br />Kick something into the long grass <br /><br /> If an issue or problem is kicked into the long grass, it is pushed aside and hidden in the hope that it will be forgotten or <br /><br /> ignored. <br /><br />Kick the ballistics <br /><br /> It means you realise the intensity of a situation. For example, there is too much unemployment now, so the prime <br /><br /> minister must kick the ballistics and change his policy. <br /><br />Kick the bucket <br /><br /> When someone kicks the bucket, they die. <br /><br />Kick up your heels <br /><br /> If you kick up your heels, you go to parties or celebrate something. <br /><br />Kid gloves <br /><br /> If someone is handled with kid gloves, they are given special treatment and handled with great care. <br /><br />Kill the goose that lays the golden egg <br /><br /> If you kill the goose that lays the golden egg, you ruin something that is very profitable. <br /><br />Kill two birds with one stone <br /><br /> When you kill two birds with one stone, you resolve two difficulties or matters with a single action. <br /><br />Kindred spirit <br /><br /> A kindred spirit is someone who feels and thinks the way you do. <br /><br />King of the castle <br /><br /> The king of the castle is the person who is in charge of something or in a very comfortable position compared to their <br /><br /> companions. <br /><br />Kiss of death <br /><br /> The kiss of death is an action that means failure or ruin for someone, a scheme, a plan, etc. <br /><br />Kiss something goodbye <br /><br /> If someone tells you that you can kiss something goodbye, you have no chance of getting or having it.<br /> <br /><br />Kissing cousin <br /><br /> A kissing cousin is someone you are related to, but not closely. <br /><br />Kitchen-sink <br /><br /> (UK) Kitchen-sink drama deals with ordinary people's lives. <br /><br />Kith and kin <br /><br /> Your kith and kin are your family; your next of kin are close relations you nominate to deal with your affairs in the event <br /><br /> of your death on a document, like a passport. <br /><br />Knee-jerk reaction <br /><br /> A knee-jerk reaction is an instant, instinctive response to a situation. <br /><br />Knight in shining armour <br /><br /> A knight in shining armour is someone who saves you when you are in great trouble or danger. <br /><br />Knit your brows <br /><br /> If you knit your brows, you frown or look worried. <br /><br />Knock 'em dead <br /><br /> 'Knock 'em dead' is used as a way of wishing someone luck before they give a performance or have to appear before <br /><br /> people, as in an interview, etc. ('em = them) <br /><br />Knock on wood <br /><br /> This idiom is used to hope for good luck. <br /><br />Knock on wood <br /><br /> This idiom is used to wish for good luck. ('Touch wood' is also used.) <br /><br />Knock your socks off <br /><br /> If something knocks your socks off, it amazes and surprises you, usually in a positive way. <br /><br />Know a hawk from a handsaw <br /><br /> If someone knows a hawk from a handsaw, they are able to distinguish things and assess them. <br /><br />Know full well <br /><br /> When you know full well, you are absolutely sure that you know. <br /><br />Know the ropes <br /><br /> Someone who is experienced and knows how the system works know the ropes. <br /><br />Know which side one's bread is buttered on <br /><br /> If you know which side one's bread is buttered on, you know where your interests lie and will act accordingly to protect <br /><br /> or further them. <br /><br /><br /><br />Know your onions <br /><br /> If someone is very well-informed about something, they know their onions. <br /><br />Know your place <br /><br /> A person who knows their place doesn't try to impose themselves on others. <br /><br /><br /><br />~ L ~ <br /><br /><br /><br />Labor of love <br /><br /> A labor of love is a project or task undertaking for the interest or pleasure in doing it rather than the reward, financial <br /><br /> or otherwise. <br /><br /><br /><br />Labour of love <br /><br /> A labour of love is a project or task undertaking for the interest or pleasure in doing it rather than the reward, financial <br /><br /> or otherwise. <br /><br />Lame duck <br /><br /> If something or someone is a lame duck, they are in trouble. <br /><br />Land of nod <br /><br /> If someone has gone to the land of nod, they have fallen asleep or gone to bed. <br /><br />Lap of the gods <br /><br /> If something is in the lap of the gods, it is beyond our control and fate will decide the outcome. <br /><br />Larger than life <br /><br /> If something is excessive or exaggerated, it is larger than life. <br /><br />Last hurrah <br /><br /> If an elderly person does something special before they die, it is a last hurrah. <br /><br />Last laugh <br /><br /> The person who has the last laugh ends up with the the advantage in a situation after some setbacks. <br /><br />Last straw <br /><br /> The last straw is the final problem that makes someone lose their temper or the problem that finally brought about the <br /><br /> collapse of something. It comes from an Arabic story, where a camel was loaded with straw until a single straw placed <br /><br /> on the rest of the load broke its back. <br /><br />Last-ditch <br /><br /> A last-ditch attempt is a desperate attempt that will probably fail anyway. <br /><br />Laugh to see a pudding crawl <br /><br /> (UK) Someone who would laugh to see a pudding crawl is easily amused and will laugh at anything. <br /><br />Laughing stock <br /><br /> If someone becomes a laughing stock they do something so stupid or wrong that no one can take them seriously and <br /><br /> people scorn and laugh at them. <br /><br />Law unto yourself <br /><br /> If somebody's a law unto themselves, they do what they believe is right regardless of what is generally accepted as <br /><br /> correct. <br /><br />Lay down the law <br /><br /> If someone lays down the law, they tell people what to do and are authoritarian. <br /><br />Lead someone up the garden path <br /><br /> If someone leads you up the garden path, they deceive you, or give you false information that causes you to waste your <br /><br /> time. 'Lead someone down the garden path' is also used. <br /><br />Lead with the chin <br /><br /> If someone leads with their chin, they speak or behave without fear of the consequences. <br /><br />Leave no stone unturned <br /><br /> If you look everywhere to find something, or try everything to achieve something, you leave no stone unturned. <br /><br />Leave well alone <br /><br /> If you leave something well alone, you keep a safe distance from it, either physically or metaphorically. <br /><br />Left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing <br /><br /> If the left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing, then communication within a company, organisation, group, <br /><br /> etc, is so bad that people don't know what the others are doing. <br /><br />Left in the dark <br /><br /> If you are left in the dark about something, you aren't given the information that you should have. <br /><br />Left to your own devices <br /><br /> If someone is left to their own devices, they are not controlled and can do what they want. <br /><br />Left-handed compliment <br /><br /> A left-handed compliment is one that sounds like praise but has an insulting meaning. ('Backhanded compliment' is an <br /><br /> alternative form.) <br /><br />Legend in your own lunchtime <br /><br /> Somebody who becomes a legend in their own lifetime acquires fame, but often only to a select or specialist audience, <br /><br /> while they are still alive. <br /><br />Lend an ear <br /><br /> If you lend an ear, you listen to what someone has to say. ('Lend your ear' is an alternative form.) <br /><br />Leopard can't change its spots <br /><br /> This idiom means that people cannot change basic aspects of their character, especially negative ones. ("A leopard <br /><br /> doesn't change its spots" is also used.) <br /><br />Lesser of two evils <br /><br /><br /><br /> Something that is the lesser of two evils, is an unpleasant option, but not as bad as the other. <br /><br />Let alone <br /><br /> This is used to emphasise how extreme something could be: 'We hadn't got the money to phone home, let alone stay in <br /><br /> a hotel.' This emphasises the utter impossibility of staying in a hotel. <br /><br />Let bygones be bygones <br /><br /> If people decide to let bygones be bygones, they decide to forget old problems or grievances they have with each other. <br /><br /><br /><br />Let sleeping dogs lie <br /><br /> If someone is told to let sleeping dogs lie, it means that they shouldn't disturb a situation as it would result in trouble or <br /><br /> complications. <br /><br />Let the cat out of the bag <br /><br /> If you accidentally reveal a secret, you let the cat out of the bag. <br /><br />Let the chips fall where they may <br /><br /> This means that we shouldn't try to control events, because destiny controls them. <br /><br />Let the devil take the hindmost <br /><br /> This idiom means that you should think of yourself and not be concerned about other people; look after yourself and <br /><br /> let the devil take the hindmost. <br /><br />Let the genie out of the bottle <br /><br /> If people let the genie out of the bottle, they let something bad happen that cannot be put right or controlled. <br /><br />Let the grass grow round your feet <br /><br /> If you let the grass grow round your feet, you delay doing things instead of taking action. <br /><br />Let your hair down <br /><br /> If someone lets their hair down, they relax and stop feeling inhibited or shy. <br /><br />Letter of the law <br /><br /> If people interpret laws and regulations strictly, ignoring the ideas behind them, they follow the letter of the law. <br /><br />Level playing field <br /><br /> If there's a level playing field everybody is treated equally. <br /><br />Lie low <br /><br /> If someone lies low, they try not to be found or caught. <br /><br />Lie through your teeth <br /><br /> Someone who is always lying, regardless of what people know, lies through their teeth. <br /><br />Life and limb <br /><br /> When people risk life and limb, they could be killed or suffer serious injuries. <br /><br />Light at the end of the tunnel <br /><br /> If you can see light at the end of the tunnel, then you can see some signs of hope in the future, though things are <br /><br /> difficult at the moment. <br /><br />Light bulb moment <br /><br /> A light bulb moment is when you have a sudden realisation about something, like the light bulbs used to indicate an <br /><br /> idea in cartoons. <br /><br />Light years ahead <br /><br /> If you are light years ahead of others, you are a long way in front of them in terms of development, success, etc. <br /><br />Lightning rod <br /><br /> Someone or something that attracts a lot of negative comment, often diverting attention from other problems, is a <br /><br /> lightning rod. <br /><br />Like a beached whale <br /><br /> Once a whale is on a beach, it cannot get back into the easily, so if you are completely stuck somewhere and can't get <br /><br /> away, you are stranded like a beached whale. <br /><br />Like a bear with a sore head <br /><br /> (UK) If someone's like a bear with a sore head, they complain a lot and are unhappy about something. <br /><br />Like a cat on hot bricks <br /><br /> If someone is like a cat on hot bricks, they are very nervous or excited. <br /><br />Like a cat that got the cream <br /><br /> If someone looks very pleased with themselves and happy, they look like a cat that got the cream. <br /><br />Like a duck to water <br /><br /> If someone has a natural talent for something and enjoys it, they take to it like a duck to water. <br /><br />Like a fish needs a bicycle <br /><br /> If someone needs something like a Fish Needs a Bicycle, they do not need it at all, originally a feminist slogan: A woman <br /><br /> needs a man like a fish needs a bicycle. <br /><br />Like a fish out of water <br /><br /> If someone feels like a fish out of water, they are very uncomfortable in the situation they are in. <br /><br />Like a hawk <br /><br /> If you watch something or someone like a hawk, you observe very closely and carefully. <br /><br />Like a headless chicken <br /><br /> If someone rushes about like a headless chicken, they move very fast all over the place, usually without thinking. <br /><br />Like a rat deserting a sinking ship <br /><br /> If people leave a company because they know that it's about to have serious problems, or turn their back on a person <br /><br /> about to be in a similar situation, they are said to be like rats deserting a sinking ship. <br /><br />Like clockwork <br /><br /> If something happens like clockwork, it happens at very regular times or intervals. <br /><br />Like father, like son <br /><br /> This idiom is used when different generations of a family behave in the same way or have the same talents of defects. <br /><br />Like lambs to the slaughter <br /><br /> If somebody does something unpleasant without any resistance, they go like lambs to the slaughter. <br /><br />Like peas in a pod <br /><br /> If people or things are like peas in a pod, they look identical. <br /><br />Like pulling teeth <br /><br /> If something if like pulling teeth, it is very difficult, especially if trying to extract information or to get a straight answer <br /><br /> from someone. <br /><br />Like taking candy from a baby <br /><br /> (USA) If something is like taking candy from a baby, it is very easy to do. <br /><br />Like the back of your hand <br /><br /> If you know something like the back of your hand, you know it very well indeed. <br /><br />Like the clappers <br /><br /> If something is going like the clappers, it is going very fast. <br /><br />Like there's no tomorrow <br /><br /> If you do something like there's no tomorrow, you do it fast or energetically. <br /><br />Like two peas in a pod <br /><br /> Things that are like two peas in a pod are very similar or identical, <br /><br />Like white on rice <br /><br /> (USA) If you do something like white on rice, you do it very closely: When Bob found out I had front row tickets for the <br /><br /> concert, he stuck to me like white on rice. <br /><br />Like wildfire <br /><br /> If something happens or spreads like wildfire, it happens very quickly and intensely. <br /><br />Lily-livered <br /><br /> Someone who is lily-livered is a coward. <br /><br />Lines of communication <br /><br /> Lines of communication are the routes used to communicate by people or groups who are in conflict; a government <br /><br /> might open lines of communication with terrorists if it wished to negotiate with them. <br /><br />Lion's share <br /><br /> The lion's share of something is the biggest or best part. <br /><br />Lip service <br /><br /> When people pay lip service to something, they express their respect, but they don't act on their words, so the respect <br /><br /> is hollow and empty. <br /><br />Little pitchers have big ears <br /><br /> (USA) This means that children hear more and understand the world around them better than many adults realize.<br /><br />Live wire <br /><br /> A person who is very active, both mentally and physically, is a live wire. <br /><br />Lo and behold <br /><br /> This phrase is used to express surprise. <br /><br />Loan shark <br /><br /> A loan shark lends money at very high rates of interest. <br /><br />Lock horns <br /><br /> When people lock horns, they argue or fight about something. <br /><br />Lock the stable door after the horse has bolted <br /><br /> If someone takes action too late, they do this; there is no reason to lock an empty stable. <br /><br />Lock, stock and barrel <br /><br /><br /><br /> This is an expressions that means 'everything'; if someone buys a company lock, stock and barrel, they buy absolutely <br /><br /> everything to do with the company. <br /><br />Long in the tooth <br /><br /> If someone is long in the tooth, they are a bit too old to do something. <br /><br />Long time no see <br /><br /> 'Long time no see' means that the speaker has not seen that person for a long time. <br /><br />Look after number 1 <br /><br /> You are number one, so this idiom means that you should think about yourself first, rather than worrying about other <br /><br /> people. <br /><br />Look after the pennies and the pounds will look after themselves <br /><br /> (UK) If you look after the pennies, the pounds will look after themselves, meaning that if someone takes care not to <br /><br /> waste small amounts of money, they will accumulate capital. ('Look after the pence and the pounds will look after <br /><br /> themselves' is an alternative form of this idiom.) <br /><br />Look before you leap <br /><br /> This idiom means that you should think carefully about the possible results or consequences before doing something. <br /><br />Look on the bright side <br /><br /> If you look on the bright side, you try to see things in an optimistic way, especially when something has gone wrong. <br /><br />Look out for number one <br /><br /> If you look out for number one, you take care of yourself and your interests, rather than those of other people. <br /><br />Look what the cat dragged in <br /><br /> This idiom is used when someone arrives somewhere looking a mess or flustered and bothered. <br /><br />Lose the plot <br /><br /> If someone loses the plot, they have stopped being rational about something. <br /><br />Lose your lunch <br /><br /> (UK) If you lose your lunch, you vomit. <br /><br />Lose your marbles <br /><br /> If someone has lost their marbles, they've gone mad. <br /><br />Lose your shirt <br /><br /> If someone loses their shirt, they lose all their money through a bad investment, gambling, etc. <br /><br />Low-hanging fruit <br /><br /> Low-hanging fruit are things that are easily achieved. <br /><br />Lower than a snake's belly <br /><br /> Someone or something that is lower than a snake's belly is of a very low moral standing. <br /><br />Lower the bar <br /><br /> If people change the standards required to make things easier, they lower the bar. <br /><br />Lower your sights <br /><br /> If you lower your sights, you accept something that is less than you were hoping for. <br /><br />Luck of the draw <br /><br /> To have the 'Luck of the draw' is to win something in a competition where the winner is chosen purely by chance. <br /><br /><br /><br />~ M ~ <br /><br /><br /><br />Mad as a badger <br /><br /> If someone is as mad as a badger, they are crazy. <br /><br />Mad as a hornet <br /><br /> (USA) If someone is as mad as a hornet, they are very angry indeed. <br /><br />Mad as a March hare <br /><br /> Someone who is excitable and unpredictable is as mad as a March hare. <br /><br />Mailed fist <br /><br /> Someone who rules or controls something with a mailed fist is in absolute control and tolerates no dissent. A mailed fist <br /><br /> in a velvet glove is used to describe someone who appears soft on the outside, but underneath is very hard. 'Iron fist' is <br /><br /> an alternative form. <br /><br />Major league <br /><br /> Something major league is very important. <br /><br />Make a better fist <br /><br /> If someone makes a better fist of doing something, they do a better job. <br /><br />Make a killing <br /><br /> If you make a killing, you do something that makes you a lot of money. <br /><br />Make a meal <br /><br /> If someone makes a meal of something, they spend too long doing it or make it look more difficult than it really is. <br /><br />Make a mint <br /><br /> If someone is making a mint, they are making a lot of money. <br /><br />Make a monkey of someone <br /><br /> If you make a monkey of someone, you make them look foolish. <br /><br />Make a mountain out of a molehill <br /><br /> If somebody makes a mountain out of a molehill, they exaggerate the importance or seriousness of a problem. <br /><br />Make a pitch <br /><br /> If you make a pitch for something, you make a bid, offer or other attempt to get it. <br /><br />Make a request <br /><br /> If you request something, or make a request, you are asking for something you want or need. <br /><br />Make a song and dance <br /><br /> (UK) If someone makes a song and dance, they make an unecessary fuss about something unimportant. <br /><br />Make an enquiry <br /><br /> If you make an enquiry, you ask for general information about something. <br /><br />Make bets in a burning house <br /><br /> (USA) If people are making bets in a burning house, they are engaged in futile activity while serious problems around <br /><br /> them are getting worse. <br /><br />Make ends meet <br /><br /> If somebody finds it hard to make ends meet, they have problems living on the money they earn. <br /><br />Make hay <br /><br /> If you make hay, or may hay while the sun shines, you take advantage of an opportunity as soon as it arises and do not <br /><br /> waste time. <br /><br />Make headway <br /><br /> If you make headway, you make progress. <br /><br />Make money hand over fist <br /><br /> If you make money hand over fist, you make a lot of money without any difficulty. <br /><br />Make no bones about it <br /><br /> If somebody make no bones about a scandal in their past, they are open and honest about it and show no shame or <br /><br /> embarrassment. <br /><br />Make out like a bandit <br /><br /> (USA) If someone is extremely successful in a venture, they make out like a bandit. <br /><br />Make waves <br /><br /> If someone makes waves, they cause a lot of trouble. <br /><br />Make your blood boil <br /><br /> If something makes your blood boil, it makes you very angry. <br /><br />Make your flesh crawl <br /><br /> If something makes your flesh crawl, it really scares or revolts you. ('Make your flesh creep' is an alternative. 'Make <br /><br /> your skin crawl' is also used.)<br /><br /><br /><br />Make your hair stand on end <br /><br /> If something makes your hair stand on end, it terrifies you. <br /><br />Make yourself scarce <br /><br /> If someone makes themselves scarce, they go away from a place, especially to avoid trouble or so that they can't be <br /><br /> found. <br /><br />Man in the street <br /><br /> The man in the street is an idiom to describe ordinary people, especially when talking about their opinions and ideas. <br /><br />Man of his word <br /><br /> <p align="left">A man of his word is a person who does what he says and keeps his promises.</p> <br /><br />Man of letters <br /><br /> A man of letters is someone who is an expert in the arts and literature, and often a writer too. <br /><br />Man of means <br /><br /> A man, or woman, of means is wealthy. <br /><br />Man of parts <br /><br /> A man of parts is a person who is talented in a number of different areas or ways. <br /><br />Man of straw <br /><br /> A weak person that can easily be beaten of changed is a man of straw. <br /><br />Man of straw <br /><br /> A man of straw is a a weak person or argument that is easily defeated. <br /><br />Man of the cloth <br /><br /> A man of the cloth is a priest. <br /><br />Man on the Clapham omnibus <br /><br /> (UK) The man on the Clapham omnibus is the ordinary person in the street. <br /><br />Man's best friend <br /><br /> This is an idiomatic term for dogs. <br /><br />Man's man <br /><br /> A man's man is a man who does things enjoyed by men and is respected by other men. <br /><br />Many a slip twixt cup and lip <br /><br /> There's many a slip twixt cup and lip means that many things can go wrong before something is achieved. <br /><br />Many hands make light work <br /><br /> This idiom means that when everyone gets involved in something, the work gets done quickly. <br /><br />Mark my words <br /><br /> Mark my words is an expression used to lend an air of seriousness to what the speaker is about to say when talking <br /><br /> about the future. You often hear drunks say it before they deliver some particularly spurious nonsense. <br /><br />Mark someone's card <br /><br /> If you mark someone's card, you correct them in a forceful and prompt manner when they say something wrong. <br /><br />Marked man <br /><br /> A marked man is a person who is being targeted by people who want to do them harm or cause them trouble. <br /><br />Matter of life and death <br /><br /> If something is a matter of life and death, it is extremely important. <br /><br />Mealy-mouthed <br /><br /> A mealy-mouthed person doesn't say what they mean clearly. <br /><br />Meat and potatoes <br /><br /> The meat and potatoes is the most important part of something. A meat and potatoes person is someone who prefers <br /><br /> plain things to fancy ones. <br /><br />Meet someone halfway <br /><br /> If you meet someone halfway, you accept some of their ideas and make concessions. <br /><br />Meet your expectations <br /><br /> If something doesn't meet your expectations, it means that it wasn't as good as you had thought it was going to be; a <br /><br /> disappointment. <br /><br />Meet your Maker <br /><br /> If someone has gone to meet their Maker, they have died. <br /><br />Meet your match <br /><br /> If you meet your match, you meet a person who is at least as good if not better than you are at something. <br /><br />Megaphone diplomacy <br /><br /> If negotiations between countries or parties are held through press releases and announcements, this is megaphone <br /><br /> diplomacy, aiming to force the other party into adopting a desired position. <br /><br />Melting pot <br /><br /> A melting pot is a place where people from many ethnicities and nationalities live together. <br /><br /><br /><br />Memory like a sieve <br /><br /> If somebody can't retain things for long in his or her memory and quickly forgets, he or she has a memory like a sieve. A <br /><br /> sieve has lots of tiny holes in it to let liquids out while keeping the solids inside. <br /><br />Memory like an elephant <br /><br /> 'An elephant never forgets' is a saying, so if a person has a memory like an elephant, he or she has a very good memory <br /><br /> indeed. <br /><br />Mend fences <br /><br /> When people mend fences, they try to improve or restore relations that have been damaged by disputes or arguments. <br /><br />Method in his madness <br /><br /> If there's method in someone's madness, they do things in a strange and unorthodox way, but manage to get results. <br /><br />Mickey Mouse <br /><br /> If something is Mickey Mouse, it is intellectually trivial or not of a very high standard. <br /><br />Midas touch <br /><br /> If someone has the Midas touch, they make a lot of money out of any scheme they try. <br /><br />Mighty oaks from little acorns grow <br /><br /> Big or great things start very small. <br /><br />Millstone round your neck <br /><br /> A millstone around your neck is a problem that prevents you from doing what you want to do. <br /><br />Mind the gap <br /><br /> Mind the gap is an instruction used on the Underground in the UK to warn passengers to be careful when leaving the <br /><br /> tube or train as there is quite a distance between the train and the platform. <br /><br />Mind your own beeswax <br /><br /> (USA) This idiom means that people should mind their own business and not interfere in other people's affairs. <br /><br />Mind Your P's and Q's <br /><br /> If you are careful about the way you behave and are polite, you mind Your P's and Q's. <br /><br />Mint condition <br /><br /> If something is in mint condition, it is in perfect condition. <br /><br />Misery guts <br /><br /> A misery guts is a person who's always unhappy and tries to make others feel negative. <br /><br />Miss is as good as a mile <br /><br /> A miss is as good as a mile means that if you fail, even by the smallest margin, it is still a failure. <br /><br />Miss the boat <br /><br /> If you miss the boat, you are too late to take advantage of an opportunity. <br /><br />Monday morning quarterback <br /><br /> (USA) A Monday morning quarterback is someone who, with the benefit of hindsight, knows what should have been <br /><br /> done in a situation. <br /><br />Money for jam <br /><br /> If something's money for jam, it's a very easy way of making money. <br /><br /><br /><br />Money for old rope <br /><br /> (UK) If something's money for old rope, it's a very easy way of making money. <br /><br />Money laundering <br /><br /> If people launder money, they get money made illegally into the mainstream so that it is believed to be legitimate and <br /><br /> clean. <br /><br />Money makes many things <br /><br /> This means that money is important.<br /> <br /><br />Money to burn <br /><br /> If someone is very rich, they have money to burn. <br /><br />Monkey business <br /><br /> If children get up to monkey business, they are behaving naughtily or mischievously. This is the same as 'monkeying <br /><br /> around'. <br /><br />Moot point <br /><br /> If something's a moot point, there's some disagreement about it: a debatable point. In the U.S., this expression usually <br /><br /> means that there is no point in debating something, because it just doesn't matter. An example: If you are arguing over <br /><br /> whether to go the beach or to the park, but you find out the car won't start and you can't go anywhere, then the <br /><br /> destination is said to be a moot point. <br /><br />Moral fibre <br /><br /> Moral fibre is the inner strength to do what you believe to be right in difficult situations Example: He lacked the moral <br /><br /> fibre to be leader (In American English the correct spelling is 'fiber'.) <br /><br />Moral high ground <br /><br /> If people have/take/claim/seize, etc, the moral high ground, they claim that their arguments, beliefs, etc, are morally <br /><br /> superior to those being put forward by other people. <br /><br />More haste, less speed <br /><br /> The faster you try to do something, the more likely you are to make mistakes that make you take longer than it would <br /><br /> had you planned it. <br /><br />More heat than light <br /><br /> If a discussion generates more heat than light, it doesn't provide answers, but does make people angry. <br /><br />More than meets the eye <br /><br /> If there is more than meets the eye to something, it is more complex or difficult than it appears. <br /><br />More than one string to their bow <br /><br /> A person who has more than one string to their bow has different talents or skills to fall back on. <br /><br />More than one way to skin a cat <br /><br /> When people say that there is more than one way to skin a cat, they mean that there are different ways of achieving <br /><br /> the same thing. <br /><br />Mountain to climb <br /><br /> If you have a mountain to climb, you have to work hard or make a lot of progress to achieve something. <br /><br />Move mountains <br /><br /> If you would move mountains to do something, you would make any effort to achieve your aim. When people say that <br /><br /> faith can move mountains, they mean that it can achieve a lot. <br /><br />Move the goalposts <br /><br /> When people move the goalposts, they change the standards required for something to their advantage. <br /><br />Mover and shaker <br /><br /> A person who is a mover and shaker is a highly respected, key figure in their particular area with a lot of influence and <br /><br /> importance. <br /><br />Much ado about nothing <br /><br /> If there's a lot of fuss about something trivial, there's much ado about nothing. <br /><br />Mud in the fire <br /><br /> The things that cannot be changed in the past that we usually forget about are mud in the fire. <br /><br />Mud in your eye <br /><br /> This is a way of saying 'cheers' when you are about to drink something, normally alcohol. <br /><br />Mud-slinging <br /><br /> If someone is mud-slinging, they are insulting someone and trying to damage that person's reputation. <br /><br />Muddy the waters <br /><br /> If somebody muddies the waters, he or she makes the situation more complex or less clear. <br /><br />Mum's the word <br /><br /> When people use this idiom, they mean that you should keep quiet about something and not tell other people. <br /><br />Murder will out <br /><br /> This idiom means that bad deeds can't be kept secret forever. <br /><br />Murky waters <br /><br /> Where people are behaving in morally and ethically questionable ways, they are in murky waters. <br /><br />Music to my ears <br /><br /> If something someone says is music to your ears, it is exactly what you had wanted to hear. <br /><br />Mutton dressed as lamb <br /><br /> Mutton dressed as lamb is term for middle-aged or elderly people trying to look younger. <br /><br />My dogs are barking <br /><br /> (USA) When someone says this, they mean that their feet are hurting. <br /><br />My eye <br /><br /> This idiom is added to an adjective to show that you disagree with it: 'He's shy.' 'Shy my eye- he's just planning <br /><br /> something secret.' <br /><br />My foot! <br /><br /> This idiom is used to show that you do not believe what someone has just said. <br /><br />My hands are full <br /><br /> If your hands are full, you have so much to do that you cannot take on any more work, responsibilities and so on. <br /><br />My hands are tied <br /><br /> If your hands are tied, you are unable to act for some reason. <br /><br />My heart bleeds <br /><br /> If your heart bleeds for someone, you feel genuine sympathy and sadness for them. <br /><br /><br /><br />My heart goes out to someone <br /><br /> If your heart goes out to someone, you feel genuine sympathy for them. <br /><br />My way or the highway <br /><br /> This idiom is used to say that if people don't do what you say, they will have to leave or quit the project, etc. <br /><br /><br /><br /> ~ N ~ <br /><br /><br /><br />Nail in the coffin <br /><br /> A nail in someone or something's coffin is a problem or event that is a clear step towards an inevitable failure. <br /><br />Nail-biter <br /><br /> If a game, election, contest, etc, is a nail-biter, it is exciting because the competitors are so close that it is impossible to <br /><br /> predict the result. <br /><br />Nature abhors a vacuum <br /><br /> This idiom is used to express the idea that empty or unfilled spaces are unnatural as they go against the laws of nature <br /><br /> and physics. <br /><br />Neck and neck <br /><br /> If two competitors or candidates, etc, are neck and neck, then they are very close and neither is clearly winning. <br /><br />Neck of the woods <br /><br /> If someone talks about their neck of the woods, they mean the area where they live. <br /><br />Needle in a haystack <br /><br /> If trying to find something is like looking for a needle in a haystack, it means that it is very difficult, if not impossible to <br /><br /> find among everything around it. <br /><br />Neither fish nor fowl <br /><br /> Something or someone that is neither fish nor fowl doesn't really fit into any one group. <br /><br />Neither use nor ornament <br /><br /> Something that serves no purpose and is not aesthetically pleasing is neither use nor ornament. <br /><br />Nerves of steel <br /><br /> If someone has nerves of steel, they don't get frightened when other people do. <br /><br />Nest egg <br /><br /> If you have some money saved for the future, it is a nest egg. <br /><br />Never a rose without the prick <br /><br /> This means that good things always have something bad as well; like the thorns on the stem of a rose. <br /><br />Never darken my door again <br /><br /> <p align="left">This is a way of telling someone never to visit you again.</p> <br /><br />New blood <br /><br /> If something needs new blood, it has become stale and needs new ideas or people to invigorate it. <br /><br />New brush sweeps clean <br /><br /> 'A new brush sweeps clean' means that someone with a new perspective can make great changes. However, the full <br /><br /> version is 'a new brush sweeps clean, but an old brush knows the corners', which warns that experience is also a <br /><br /> valuable thing. Sometimes 'broom' is used instead of 'brush'. <br /><br />New kid on the block <br /><br /> A new kid on the block is a person who has recently joined a company, organisation, team, etc, and does not know how <br /><br /> things work yet. <br /><br />New lease of life <br /><br /> If someone finds new enthusiasm and energy for something, they have a new lease of life. <br /><br />New man <br /><br /> (UK) A New man is a man who believes in complete equality of the sexes and shares domestic work equally. <br /><br />New York minute <br /><br /> (USA) If something happens in a New York minute, it happens very fast. <br /><br />Newfangled <br /><br /> People who don't like new methods, technologies, etc, describe them as newfangled, which means new but not as good <br /><br /> or nice as the old ones. <br /><br />Nick of time <br /><br /> If you do something in the nick of time, you do it at the very last minute or second. <br /><br />Nickel tour <br /><br /> (USA) If someone gives you a nickel tour, they show you around a place. ('Fifty-cent tour' is also used.) <br /><br />Night owl <br /><br /> A night owl is someone who goes to bed very late. <br /><br /><br /><br />Ninth circle of hell <br /><br /> In Dante's Inferno, the ninth circle of hell is the centre where the worst punishments are found, so it is used <br /><br /> idiomatically for something that couldn't get worse. <br /><br />Nip it in the bud <br /><br /> If you nip something in the bud, you deal with a problem when it is still small, before it can grow into something <br /><br /> serious. <br /><br />Nitty gritty <br /><br /> If people get down to the nitty gritty, they concentrate on the most important and serious issues. <br /><br />No bed of roses <br /><br /> If something isn't a bed of roses, it is difficult. <br /><br />No can do <br /><br /> No can do means that the speaker can't do whatever it is that has been asked of him or her. <br /><br />No great shakes <br /><br /> If someone is no great shakes at something, they are not very good at it. <br /><br />No holds barred <br /><br /> If there are no holds barred, there are no rules of conduct; you can do anything. <br /><br /><br /><br />No ifs or buts <br /><br /> Ifs and Buts is a term used to describe the reasons people give for not wanting to do something. To show that you don't <br /><br /> wish to accept any excuses, you can tell somebody that you wish to hear no ifs or buts Here IF & BUT have become <br /><br /> nouns <br /><br />No love lost <br /><br /> If there is no love lost between two people they have a strong enmity towards or hate for the other and make no effort <br /><br /> to conceal it. <br /><br />No quarter <br /><br /> This means without mercy. We can say no quarter given or asked. <br /><br />No question <br /><br /> This idiom means that something is certain or definite. <br /><br />No questions asked <br /><br /> If something is to be done and no questions asked, then it doesn't matter what methods are used or what rules are <br /><br /> broken to ensure that it gets done. <br /><br />No skin off my nose <br /><br /> If something's no skin off your nose, it doesn't affect or bother you at all. <br /><br />No smoke without fire <br /><br /> <p>This idiom means that when people suspect something, there is normally a good reason for the suspicion, even if <br /><br /> there is no concrete evidence.</p><p>('Where's there's smoke, there's fire' is also used.) </p> <br /><br />No spine <br /><br /> If someone has no spine, they lack courage or are cowardly. <br /><br />No spring chicken <br /><br /> If someone is no spring chicken, they are not young. <br /><br />No time for <br /><br /> If you have no time for an activity, you have absolutely no desire to spend or waste any time doing it. You can have no <br /><br /> time for people, too. <br /><br />No time like the present <br /><br /> If people say that there's no time like the present , they believe that it is far better to do something now than to leave it <br /><br /> for later, in which case it might never get done. <br /><br />No time to lose <br /><br /> If there's no time to lose, then it's time to get started otherwise it won't be finished on time. <br /><br />No use to man or beast <br /><br /> If something or someone is no use to man or beast, they it or they are utterly useless. <br /><br />Nod's as good as a wink <br /><br /> (UK) 'A nod's as good as a wink' is a way of saying you have understood somethin that someone has said, even though it <br /><br /> was not said directly. <br /><br />None so blind as those who will not see <br /><br /> This idiom is used when people refuse to accept facts presented to them. ('None so deaf as those who will not hear' is <br /><br /> an alternative.) <br /><br />Nose in the air <br /><br /> If someone has their nose in the air, they behave in a way that is meant to show that they are superior to others. <br /><br />Nosy parker <br /><br /> (UK) A nosy parker is someone who is excessively interested in other people's lives. ('Nosey parker' is an alternative <br /><br /> spelling.) <br /><br />Not all there <br /><br /> If someone isn't all there, they are a little bit stupid or crazy. <br /><br />Not bat an eye <br /><br /> If someone doesn't bat an eye, they do not react when other people normally would. <br /><br />Not born yesterday <br /><br /> When someone says that they weren't born yesterday, they mean that they are not naive or easily fooled. <br /><br />Not cricket <br /><br /> (UK) If something is not cricket, it is unfair. <br /><br />Not enough room to swing a cat <br /><br /> If a room is very small, you can say that there isn't enough room to swing a cat in it. <br /><br />Not give a monkey's <br /><br /> (UK) If you couldn't give a monkey's about something, you don't care at all about it. <br /><br />Not have two pennies to rub together <br /><br /> If someone hasn't got two pennies to rub together, they are very poor indeed. <br /><br />Not know beans about <br /><br /> (USA) If someone doesn't know beans about something, they know nothing about it. <br /><br />Not much cop <br /><br /> Describing a film or something as not much cop is a way of saying that you didn't think much of it. <br /><br />Not my cup of tea <br /><br /> If something is not your cup of tea, you don't like it very much. <br /><br />Not the only pebble on the beach <br /><br /> If something is not the only pebble on the beach, there are other possibilities or alternatives. <br /><br />Not to be sneezed at <br /><br /> If something is not to be sneezed at, it should be taken seriously. <br /><br />Not wash <br /><br /> If a story or explanation will not wash, it is not credible. <br /><br />Notch on your belt <br /><br /> A success or achievement that might help you in the future is a notch on your belt. <br /><br />Nothing to crow about <br /><br /> If something's nothing to crow about, it's not particularly good or special. <br /><br />Now and then <br /><br /> This idiom means 'occasionally'. <br /><br />Null and void <br /><br /> If something's null and void, it is invalid or is no longer applicable. <br /><br />Number cruncher <br /><br /> A number cruncher is an accountant or someone who is very good at dealing with numbers and calculations. <br /><br />Nuts and bolts <br /><br /> The nuts and bolts are the most essential components of something. <br /><br />Nutty as a fruitcake <br /><br /> Someone who's nutty as a fruitcake is irrational or crazy. (This can be shortened to 'a fruitcake'.) <br /><br /><br /><br />~ O ~ <br /><br /><br /><br />Object lesson <br /><br /> An object lesson serves as a warning to others. (In some varieties of English 'abject lesson' is used.) <br /><br />Odds and ends <br /><br /> Odds and ends are small, remnant articles and things- the same as bits and bobs. <br /><br />Off colour <br /><br /> If someone looks off colour/color, they look ill. <br /><br />Off the beaten track <br /><br /> Somewhere that's off the beaten track is in a remote location. <br /><br />Off the chart <br /><br /><br /><br /> If something goes off the chart, it far exceeds the normal standards, good or bad, for something. <br /><br />Off the cuff <br /><br /> If you do something off the cuff, you do it without any preparation. <br /><br />Off the hook <br /><br /> If someone is off the hook, they have avoided punishment or criticism for something they have done. <br /><br />Off the mark <br /><br /> If something is off the mark, it is inaccurate or incorrect. <br /><br />Off the rails <br /><br /> If someone has gone off the rails, they have lost track of reality. <br /><br />Off the scale <br /><br /> If something goes off the scale, it far exceeds the normal standards, good or bad, for something. <br /><br />Off the shelf <br /><br /> If a product is off the shelf, it can be used straightaway without any setting-up. <br /><br />Off the track <br /><br /> If something puts or throws you off your track, it distracts you or keeps you from achieving what you want. <br /><br />Off the wall <br /><br /> Something that is off the wall is unconventional. <br /><br />Off your chump <br /><br /> (UK) If someone is off their chump, they are crazy or irrational. <br /><br />Off your rocker <br /><br /> (UK) Someone who is off their rocker is crazy. <br /><br />Off-hand <br /><br /> Off-hand means without preparation. People say that they don't know the answer off-hand, meaning that they don't <br /><br /> know it at that time. <br /><br />Old chestnut <br /><br /> An old chestnut is something that has been repeated so many times that it has lost its impact. <br /><br />Old friends and old wine are best <br /><br /> This idiom means that the things and people that we know well are better than the unfamiliar. <br /><br />Old hat <br /><br /> If something's old hat, it seems rather old fashioned and dated. <br /><br />Oldest trick in the book <br /><br /> The oldest trick in the book is a well-known way of deceiving someone, though still effective. <br /><br />Olive branch <br /><br /> If you hold out or offer an olive branch, you make a gesture to indicate that you want peace. <br /><br />On a fishing expedition <br /><br /> If someone is on a fishing expedition, they are trying to get information, often using incorrect or improper ways to find <br /><br /> things out. <br /><br />On a roll <br /><br /> If you're on a roll, you're moving from success to success. <br /><br />On a silver platter <br /><br /> If you hand or give something on a silver platter to someone, you let them have it too easily. <br /><br />On Carey Street <br /><br /> (UK) If someone is on Carey Street, they are heavily in debt or have gone bankrupt. <br /><br />On good terms <br /><br /> If people are on good terms, they have a good relationship. <br /><br />On hold <br /><br /> If something is on hold, no action is being taken. <br /><br />On ice <br /><br /> If plans are put on ice, they are delayed and no action will be taken for the foreseeable future. <br /><br />On pins and needles <br /><br /> If you are on pins and needles, you are very worried about something. <br /><br />On tenterhooks <br /><br /> This means that she is waiting impatiently and excitedly for something. <br /><br />On the ball <br /><br /> If someone's on the ball, they are well-informed and know what's going on in their area of responsibility or interest. <br /><br />On the blink <br /><br /> (UK) Is a machine is on the blink, it isn't working properly or is out of order. <br /><br />On the blower <br /><br /> (UK) If someone is on the blower, they are on the phone. <br /><br />On the case <br /><br /> If someone is on the case, they are dealing with a problem. <br /><br />On the cheap <br /><br /> If you do something on the cheap, you spend as little as possible to do it. <br /><br />On the dot <br /><br /> If someone says that they're leaving at seven on the dot, don't be late; they mean at exactly seven o'clock. <br /><br />On the factory floor <br /><br /> On the factory floor means the place where things are actually produced. <br /><br />On the fiddle <br /><br /> (UK) Someone who is stealing money from work is on the fiddle, especially if they are doing it by fraud. <br /><br />On the fly <br /><br /> If you do things on the fly, you do things without preparation, responding to events as they happen. <br /><br />On the game <br /><br /> (UK) A person who is on the game works as a prostitute. <br /><br />On the ground <br /><br /> Events on the ground are where things are actually happening, not at a distance. <br /><br />On the hoof <br /><br /> If you decide something on the hoof, you do it without planning, responding to events as they happen. <br /><br />On the house <br /><br /> If you get something for free that would normally have to be bought, especially in a bar or restaurant, it is on the house. <br /><br />On the lam <br /><br /> If someone is on the lam, they are hiding from the police or authorities, especially to avoid arrest or prison. <br /><br />On the level <br /><br /> If someone is honest and trustworthy, they are on the level. <br /><br />On the line <br /><br /> If somebody's job is on the line, they stand a very good chance of losing it. <br /><br />On the make <br /><br /> If someone is on the make, they are trying to make a lot of money, usually illegally. <br /><br />On the map <br /><br /> If a place becomes widely known, it is put on the map. A place that remains unknown is off the map. <br /><br />On the never-never <br /><br /> (UK) If you buy something on the never-never, you buy it on long-term credit. <br /><br />On the nod <br /><br /> (UK) If something is accepted by parliament or a committee majority, it is on the nod. <br /><br />On the nod <br /><br /> (UK) Someone who's on the nod is either asleep or falling asleep, especially when the shouldn't or are are in a position <br /><br /> unusual for sleep, like sitting or standing. <br /><br />On the rebound <br /><br /> If someone is on the rebound, their relationship has recently ended and they are emotionally unstable. <br /><br />On the right foot <br /><br /> If you start something or set off on the right foot, you get off to a good start. <br /><br />On the ropes <br /><br /> When something or someone is on the ropes, it or they are doing badly and likely to fail. <br /><br />On the run <br /><br /> If someone is on the run, they are avoiding arrest and hiding from the police. <br /><br />On the same page <br /><br /> If people are on the same page, they have the same information and are thinking the same way. <br /><br />On the shelf <br /><br /> If something like a project is on the shelf, nothing is being done about it at the moment. <br /><br />On the sly <br /><br /> If someone does something on the sly, they do it furtively or secretly. <br /><br />On the stump <br /><br /> When politicians are campaigning for support and votes, they are on the stump. <br /><br />On the take <br /><br /> (UK) Someone who is stealing from work is on the take. <br /><br />On the tip of your tongue <br /><br /> If a word is on the tip of your tongue, you know you know the word, but you just can't quite remember it at the <br /><br /> moment. <br /><br />On the trot <br /><br /> (UK) This idiom means 'consecutively'; I'd saw them three days on the trot, which means that I saw them on three <br /><br /> consecutive days. <br /><br />On the up and up <br /><br /> If you are on the up and up, you are making very good progress in life and doing well. <br /><br />On the wagon <br /><br /> If someone is on the wagon, they have stopped drinking alcohol. <br /><br />On top of the world <br /><br /> If you are on top of the world, everything is going well for you. <br /><br />On your high horse <br /><br /> When someone is on their high horse, they are being inflexible, arrogant and will not make any compromises. <br /><br />On your last legs <br /><br /> If someone's on their last legs, they're close to dying. <br /><br />Once bitten, twice shy <br /><br /> If somebody is said to be once bitten twice shy, it means that someone who has been hurt or who has had something <br /><br /> go wrong will be far more careful the next time. <br /><br />Once in a blue moon <br /><br /> If something happens once in a blue moon, it happens very rarely indeed. <br /><br />One bad apple <br /><br /> The full form of this proverb is 'one bad apple spoils the barrel', meaning that a bad person, policy, etc, can ruin <br /><br /> everything around it. <br /><br />One fell swoop <br /><br /> If something is done at one fell swoop, it is done in a single period of activity, usually swiftly and ruthlessly. <br /><br />One for the road <br /><br /> A last drink before leaving a pub or bar is one for the road. <br /><br />One hand washes the other <br /><br /> This idiom means that we need other people to get on as cooperation benefits us all. <br /><br />One man's meat is another man's poison <br /><br /> This idiom means that one person can like something very much, but another can hate it. <br /><br />One over the eight <br /><br /> (UK) Someone who is one over the eight is drunk. <br /><br />One swallow does not make a summer <br /><br /> This means that one good or positive event does not mean that everything is all right. <br /><br />One-man band <br /><br /> If one person does all the work or has all the responsibility somewhere, then they are a one-man band. <br /><br />One-off <br /><br /> A one-off event only happens once and will not be repeated. <br /><br />One-trick pony <br /><br /> A one-trick pony is someone who does one thing well, but has limited skills in other areas. <br /><br />Open all hours <br /><br /> If a shop or suchlike is open all hours, it only closes, if at all, terribly late. <br /><br />Open book <br /><br /> If a person is an open book, it is easy to know what they think or how they feel about things. <br /><br />Opening a can of worms <br /><br /> If you open a can of worms, you do something that will cause a lot of problems and is, on balance, probably going to <br /><br /> cause more trouble than it's worth. <br /><br />Opportunity knocks but once <br /><br /> This idiom means that you only get one chance to achieve what you really want to do. <br /><br />Other side of the coin <br /><br /> The other side of the coin is a different, usually opposing, view of a situation. ('Flip side of the coin' is an alternative.) <br /><br />Out and about <br /><br /> If someone is out and about, they have left their home and are getting things done that they need to do. <br /><br />Out in the sticks <br /><br /> (UK) If someone lives out in the sticks, they live out in the country, a long way from any metropolitan area. <br /><br />Out like a light <br /><br /> If you are out like a light, you fall fast asleep. <br /><br />Out of hand <br /><br /> If something gets out of hand, it gets out of control. <br /><br />Out of pocket <br /><br /> If you are out of pocket on a deal, you have lost money. <br /><br />Out of sight, out of mind <br /><br /> Out of sight, out of mind is used to suggest that someone will not think or worry about something if it isn't directly <br /><br /> visible or available to them. <br /><br />Out of sorts <br /><br /> If you are feeling a bit upset and depressed, you are out of sorts. <br /><br />Out of the blue <br /><br /> If something happens out of the blue, it happens suddenly and unexpectedly. <br /><br />Out of the box <br /><br /> Thinking out of the box is thinking in a creative way. However, it can also be used for a ready-made product that <br /><br /> requires no specialist knowledge to set it up. <br /><br />Out of the frying pan, into the fire <br /><br /> If you get out of one problem, but find yourself in a worse situation, you are out of the frying pan, into the fire. <br /><br />Out of the woods <br /><br /> If you are out of the woods, you have emerged safely from a dangerous situation, though the idiom is often used in the <br /><br /> negative. <br /><br />Out of this world <br /><br /> If something is out of this world, it is fantastic. <br /><br />Out of your hair <br /><br /> If you get someone out of your hair, you get them to stop bothering or annoying you. ('Stay/keep/get out of my hair!' <br /><br /> can be used as imperatives) <br /><br />Out of your mind <br /><br /> If someone is out of the mind, they are so emotional about something that they are no longer rational. <br /><br />Out of your own pocket <br /><br /> If someone does something out of their own pocket, they pay all the expenses involved. <br /><br />Out on a limb <br /><br /> If somebody's out on a limb, they are in a very exposed position and could get into difficulties. <br /><br />Out to lunch <br /><br /> If someone's out to lunch, they are crazy or out of touch. <br /><br />Out to lunch <br /><br /> If someone is out to lunch, they are not very aware of things around them. <br /><br />Over a barrel <br /><br /> If someone has you over a barrel, they have you in a position where you have no choice but to accept what they want. <br /><br />Over and over <br /><br /> If something happens over and over, it happens repeatedly. <br /><br />Over my dead body <br /><br /> If you say that something will happen over your dead body, you will not let it happen. <br /><br />Over the counter <br /><br /> Medicines and drugs that can be sold without a doctor's prescription are sold over the counter. <br /><br />Over the hill <br /><br /> If someone is over the hill they have reached an age at which they can longer perform as well as they used to. <br /><br />Over the moon <br /><br /> If you are over the moon about something, you are overjoyed. <br /><br />Over the top <br /><br /> <p>If something is over the top, it is excessive or unnecessary.</p><p>It refers to the moment a soldier leaves the <br /><br /> trenches. </p> <br /><br />Over your head <br /><br /> If something is over your head, or goes over your head, it is too complex or difficult for you to understand. <br /><br />Over-egg the pudding <br /><br /> (UK) If you over-egg the pudding, you spoil something by trying to improve it excessively. It is also used nowadays with <br /><br /> the meaning of making something look bigger or more important than it really is. ('Over-egg' alone is often used in this <br /><br /> sense.) <br /><br /><br /><br />~ P ~ <br /><br /><br /><br />Packed like sardines <br /><br /> If a place is extremely crowded, people are packed like sardines, or packed in like sardines. <br /><br />Paddle your own canoe <br /><br /> (USA) If you paddle your own canoe, you do things for yourself without outside help. <br /><br />Pain in the neck <br /><br /> If someone is very annoying and always disturbing you, they are a pain in the neck. Pain in the butt, or pain in the ass <br /><br /> (USA), and Pain in the arse (UK) are less polite alternative forms. <br /><br />Paint the town red <br /><br /> If you go out for a night out with lots of fun and drinking, you paint the town red. <br /><br />Paint yourself into a corner <br /><br /> (USA) If someone paints themselves into a corner, they get themselves into a mess. <br /><br />Painted Jezebel <br /><br /> A painted Jezebel is a scheming woman. <br /><br />Pandora's box <br /><br /> If you open a Pandora's box, something you do causes all sorts of trouble that you hadn't anticipated. <br /><br />Paper tiger <br /><br /> A paper tiger is a person, country, institution, etc, that looks powerful, but is actually weak. <br /><br />Par for the course <br /><br /> If something is par for the course, it is what you expected it would be. If it is above par, it is better, and if it is below par, <br /><br /> it is worse. <br /><br />Parrot fashion <br /><br /> If you learn something parrot fashion, you learn it word for word. A parrot is a bird from South America that can talk. <br /><br />Part and parcel <br /><br /> If something is part and parcel of your job, say, it is an essential and unavoidable part that has to be accepted. <br /><br />Pass muster <br /><br /> If something passes muster, it meets the required standard. <br /><br />Pass the buck <br /><br /> If you pass the buck, you avoid taking responsibility by saying that someone else is responsible. <br /><br />Pass the time of day <br /><br /> If you pass the time of day with somebody, you stop and say hello, enquire how they are and other such acts of social <br /><br /> politeness. <br /><br />Patience of Job <br /><br /> If something requires the patience of Job, it requires great patience. <br /><br />Pay on the nail <br /><br /> If you pay on the nail, you pay promptly in cash. <br /><br />Pay the piper <br /><br /> When you pay the piper, you have to accept the consequences of something that you have done wrong or badly. <br /><br />Pay through the nose <br /><br /> If you pay through the nose for something, you pay a very high price for it. <br /><br />Pecking order <br /><br /> The pecking order is the order of importance or rank. <br /><br />Pen is mightier than the sword <br /><br /> The idiom 'the pen is mightier than the sword' means that words and communication are more powerful than wars and <br /><br /> fighting. <br /><br />Penny ante <br /><br /> (USA) Something that is very unimportant is penny ante. <br /><br />Penny wise, pound foolish <br /><br /> Someone who is penny wise, pound foolish can be very careful or mean with small amounts of money, yet wasteful and <br /><br /> extravagant with large sums. <br /><br />Perfidious Albion <br /><br /> England is known to some as perfidious Albion, implying that it is not trustworthy in its dealings with foreigners. <br /><br />Perish the thought <br /><br /> Perish the thought is an expression meaning that you really hope something will not happen. <br /><br />Pick up the tab <br /><br /> A person who pays for everyone picks up the tab. <br /><br />Pick-up game <br /><br /> (USA) A pick-up game is something unplanned where people respond to events as they happen. <br /><br /><br /><br />Pie in the sky <br /><br /> If an idea or scheme is pie in the sky, it is utterly impractical. <br /><br />Piece of cake <br /><br /> If something is a piece of cake, it is really easy. <br /><br />Pieces of the same cake <br /><br /> Pieces of the same cake are things that have the same characteristics or qualities. <br /><br />Pig in a poke <br /><br /> If someone buys a pig in a poke, they buy something without checking the condition it was in, usually finding out later <br /><br /> that it was defective. <br /><br />Pigs might fly <br /><br /> If you think something will never happen or succeed, you can say that 'pigs might fly' (or 'pigs can fly' and 'pigs will fly'- <br /><br /> the idiom is used in many forms) <br /><br />Pin money <br /><br /> (UK) If you work for pin money, you work not because you need to but because it gives you money for extra little <br /><br /> luxuries and treats. <br /><br />Pinch of salt <br /><br /> If what someone says should be taken with a pinch of salt, then they exaggerate and distort things, so what they say <br /><br /> shouldn't be believed unquestioningly. ('with a grain of salt' is an alternative.) <br /><br />Pink pound <br /><br /> (UK) In the UK, the pink pound is an idiom for the economic power of gay people. <br /><br />Pink slip <br /><br /> If someone receives a pink slip, they receive a letter telling them they have lost their job. <br /><br />Pipe dream <br /><br /> A pipe dream is an unrealistic, impractical idea or scheme. <br /><br />Piping hot <br /><br /> If food is piping hot, it is very hot indeed. <br /><br />Place in the sun <br /><br /> If you have your place in the sun, you find wealth, happiness or whatever you are looking for in life. <br /><br />Plain as a pikestaff <br /><br /> (UK) If something is as plain as a pikestaff, it is very clear. <br /><br />Plain as the nose on your face <br /><br /> If something is as plain as the nose on your face, it is very clear and obvious. <br /><br />Plain Jane <br /><br /> A plain Jane is a woman who isn't particularly attractive. <br /><br />Plain sailing <br /><br /> If something is relatively easy and there are no problems doing it, it is plain sailing. <br /><br />Plan B <br /><br /> Plan is an alternate or fall-back position or method when the initial attempt or plan goes wrong. <br /><br />Plastic smile <br /><br /> When someone is wearing a plastic smile, they are appear to be happier with a situation or events than they actually <br /><br /> are. This is actually a description of the forced smile you might see in many photographs. <br /><br />Play fast and loose <br /><br /> If people play fast and loose, they behave in an irresponsible way and don't respect rules, etc. <br /><br />Play hardball <br /><br /> If someone plays hardball, they are very aggressive in trying to achieve their aim. <br /><br />Play havoc <br /><br /> Playing havoc with something is creating disorder and confusion; computer viruses can play havoc with your programs. <br /><br />Play hooky <br /><br /> If people play hooky, they don't attend school when they should and don't have a valid reason for their absence. <br /><br />Play into someone's hands <br /><br /> If you play into someone's hands, you do what they were expecting you to do and take advantage of this. <br /><br />Play it by ear <br /><br /> If you play it by ear, you don't have a plan of action, but decide what to do as events take shape. <br /><br />Play out of your skin <br /><br /> If someone plays out of their skin, they give an outstanding performance. <br /><br />Play second fiddle <br /><br /> If you play second fiddle, you take a subordinate role behind someone more important. <br /><br />Play the field <br /><br /> Someone who plays the field has sexual relationships with many people. <br /><br />Play the fool <br /><br /> If someone plays the fool, they behave in a silly way to make people laugh. ('Act the fool' is and alternative form.) <br /><br />Play with fire <br /><br /> If people take foolish risks, they are playing with fire. <br /><br />Playing to the gallery <br /><br /> If someone plays to the gallery, they say or do things that will make them popular, but which are not the right things to <br /><br /> do. <br /><br />Poetry in motion <br /><br /> Something that is poetry in motion is beautiful to watch. <br /><br />Pointy-heads <br /><br /> Pointy-heads are supposed intellectuals or experts, but who don't really know that much. <br /><br />Poison pill <br /><br /> A poison pill is a strategy designed to prevent a company from being take over. <br /><br />Pop the question <br /><br /> When someone pops the question, they ask someone to marry them. <br /><br />Pop your clogs <br /><br /> When someone pops their clogs, they die. <br /><br />Pork barrel <br /><br /> Pork barrel politics involves investing money in an area to get political support rather than using the money for the <br /><br /> common good. <br /><br />Pot calling the kettle black <br /><br /> If someone hypocritically criticises a person for something that they themselves do, then it is a case of the pot calling <br /><br /> the kettle black. <br /><br />Pot-luck <br /><br /> If you take pot-luck, you take whatever happens to be available at the time. <br /><br />Pound of flesh <br /><br /> If someone wants their pound of flesh, the force someone to pay or give back something owed, even though they don't <br /><br /> need it and it will cause the other person a lot of difficulty. <br /><br />Pour oil on troubled waters <br /><br /> If someone pours oil on troubled waters, they try to calm things down. <br /><br />Powder your nose <br /><br /> If somebody goes to powder your nose, it is a euphemism for going to the lavatory (toilet). <br /><br />Powers that be <br /><br /> The powers that be are the people who are in charge of something. <br /><br />Preaching to the choir <br /><br /> If someone preaches to the choir, they talking about a subject or issue with which their audience already agrees. <br /><br /> ('Preaching to the converted' is an alternative form.) <br /><br />Presence of mind <br /><br /> If someone behaves calmly and rationally in difficult circumstances, they show presence of mind. <br /><br />Press the flesh <br /><br /> When people, especially politicians, press the flesh, they meet members of the public and shake their hands, usually <br /><br /> when trying to get support. <br /><br />Pressed for time <br /><br /> If you are pressed for time, you are in a hurry or working against a very tight schedule. <br /><br />Primrose path <br /><br /> The primrose path is an easy and pleasurable lifestyle, but one that ends in unpleasantness and problems. <br /><br />Prince charming <br /><br /> A prince charming is the perfect man in a woman's life. <br /><br />Problem is thirty <br /><br /> If a problem is 30, the problem is the person who sits 30 cm from the computer screen. It is used to describe people <br /><br /> that lack technical knowledge and can be used when you insult someone who's having computer problems. <br /><br />Proclaim it from the rooftops <br /><br /> If something is proclaimed from the rooftops, it is made as widely known and as public as possible. <br /><br />Prodigal son <br /><br /> A prodigal son is a young man who wastes a lot on money on a lavish lifestyle. If the prodigal son returns, they return to <br /><br /> a better way of living. <br /><br />Pull in the reins <br /><br /> When you pull in the reins, you slow down or stop something that has been a bit out of control. <br /><br />Pull no punches <br /><br /> If you pull no punches, you hold nothing back. <br /><br />Pull out all the stops <br /><br /> If you pull out all the stops, you do everything you possibly can to achieve the result you want. <br /><br />Pull out of the fire <br /><br /> (USA) If you pull something out of the fire, you save or rescue it. <br /><br />Pull someone's leg <br /><br /> If you pull someone's leg, you tease them, but not maliciously. <br /><br />Pull strings <br /><br /> If you pull strings, you use contacts you have got to help you get what you want. <br /><br />Pull the fat from the fire <br /><br /> If you pull the fat from the fire, you help someone in a difficult situation. <br /><br />Pull the other one, it's got brass bells on <br /><br /> This idiom is way of telling somebody that you don't believe them. The word 'brass' is optional. <br /><br />Pull the trigger <br /><br /> The person who pulls the trigger is the one who does the action that closes or finishes something. <br /><br />Pull the wool over someone's eyes <br /><br /> If you pull the wool over someone's eyes, you deceive or cheat them. <br /><br />Pull up your socks <br /><br /> If you aren't satisfied with someone and want them to do better, you can tell them to pull up their socks. <br /><br />Pull your chain <br /><br /> (USA) If someone pulls your chain, they take advantage of you in an unfair way or do something to annoy you. <br /><br />Pull your finger out! <br /><br /> (UK) If someone tells you to do this, they want you to hurry up. ('Get your finger out' is also used.) <br /><br />Pull your punches <br /><br /> If you pull your punches, you do not use all the power or authority at your disposal. <br /><br />Pull your weight <br /><br /> If someone is not pulling their weight, they aren't making enough effort, especially in group work. <br /><br />Pull yourself up by your bootstraps <br /><br /> If you pull yourself up by your bootstraps, you make the effort to improve things for yourself. <br /><br />Punching bag <br /><br /> A punching bag (or punch bag) is a person who gets a lot of unfair criticism. <br /><br />Pup's chance <br /><br /> A pup's chance is no chance. <br /><br />Push comes to shove <br /><br /> If or when push comes to shove, the situation has become some bad that you are forced to do something: If push <br /><br /> comes to shove, we'll just have to use our savings. <br /><br />Push the envelope <br /><br /> This means to go to the limits, to do something to the maximum possible. <br /><br />Pushing up the daisies <br /><br /> If someone is said to be pushing up the daisies, they are dead. <br /><br />Put all your eggs in one basket <br /><br /> If you put all your eggs in one basket, you risk everything on a single opportunity which, like eggs breaking, could go <br /><br /> wrong. <br /><br />Put or get someone's back up <br /><br /> If you put or get someone's back up, you annoy them. <br /><br />Put some mustard on it! <br /><br /> (USA) I think its used to encourage someone to throw a ball like a baseball hard or fast. <br /><br />Put somebody's nose out of joint <br /><br /> If you put someone's nose out of joint, you irritate them or make them angry with you. <br /><br />Put someone out to pasture <br /><br /> If someone is put out to pasture, they are forced to resign or give up some responsibilities. <br /><br />Put the pedal to the metal <br /><br /> If you put the pedal to the metal, you go faster. <br /><br />Put to the sword <br /><br /> If someone is put to the sword, he or she is killed or executed. <br /><br />Put two and two together <br /><br /> If someone puts two and two together, they reach a correct conclusion from the evidence. <br /><br />Put you in mind <br /><br /> If something suggests something to you, it puts you in mind of that thing. <br /><br />Put you in the picture <br /><br /> If you put someone in the picture, you tell them the information they need to know about something. <br /><br />Put your foot down <br /><br /> When someone puts their foot down, they make a firm stand and establish their authority on an issue. <br /><br />Put your foot in it <br /><br /> If you put your foot in it, you do or say something embarrassing and tactless or get yourself into trouble. <br /><br />Put your foot in your mouth <br /><br /> If you put your foot in your mouth, you say something stupid or embarrassing. <br /><br />Put your hand on your heart <br /><br /> If you can out your hand on your heart, then you can say something knowing it to be true. <br /><br />Put your heads together <br /><br /> If people put their head together, they exchange ideas about something. <br /><br />Put your money where your mouth is <br /><br /> If someone puts their money where their mouth is, they back up their words with action. <br /><br />Putting the cart before the horse <br /><br /> When you put the cart before the horse, you are doing something the wrong way round. <br /><br />Pyrrhic victory <br /><br /> A Pyrrhic victory is one that causes the victor to suffer so much to achieve it that it isn't worth winning. <br /><br /><br /><br />~ Q ~ <br /><br /><br /><br />Quart into a pint pot <br /><br /> (UK) If you try to put or get a quart into a pint pot, you try to put too much in a small space. (1 quart = 2 pints) <br /><br />Queen of Hearts <br /><br /> A woman who is pre-eminent in her area is a Queen of Hearts. <br /><br />Queer fish <br /><br /> (UK) A strange person is a queer fish. <br /><br />Queer Street <br /><br /> If someone is in a lot of trouble, especially financial, they are in Queer Street. <br /><br />Queer your pitch <br /><br /> If someone queers your pitch, they interfere in your affairs and spoil things. <br /><br />Question of time <br /><br /> If something's a question of time, it's certain to happen, though we don't know exactly when. <br /><br />Queue jumping <br /><br /> Someone who goes to the front of a queue instead of waiting is jumping the queue. <br /><br />Quick as a flash <br /><br /> If something happens quick as a flash, it happens very fast indeed. <br /><br />Quick buck <br /><br /> If you make some money easily, you make a quick buck. <br /><br />Quick off the mark <br /><br /> If someone is quick off the mark, they are very quick to use, start or do something new. <br /><br />Quick on the trigger <br /><br /> Someone who is quick on the trigger acts or responds quickly. <br /><br />Quids in <br /><br /> (UK) If somebody is quids in, they stand to make a lot of money from something. <br /><br />Quiet as a mouse <br /><br /> If someone's as quiet as a mouse, they make absolutely no noise. <br /><br /><br /><br />~ R ~ <br /><br /><br /><br />Rack and ruin <br /><br /> If something or someone goes to rack and ruin, they are utterly destroyed or wrecked. <br /><br />Rack your brain <br /><br /> If you rack your brain, you think very hard when trying to remember something. ('Rack your brains' is an alternative.) <br /><br />Ragged blue line <br /><br /> (USA) This term was used to signify the Union forces (who wore blue uniforms) in the American Civil war . <br /><br />Rags to riches <br /><br /> Someone who starts life very poor and becomes rich goes from rags to riches. <br /><br />Raining cats and dogs <br /><br /> When it is raining cats and dogs, it is raining very heavily. <br /><br />Rainy day <br /><br /> If you save something, especially money, for a rainy day, you save it for some possible problem or trouble in the future. <br /><br />Raise Cain <br /><br /> (USA) If someone raises Cain, they make a big fuss publicly, causing a disturbance. <br /><br />Raise eyebrows <br /><br /> If something raises eyebrows, it shocks or surprises people.<br /></p> <br /><br />Rake over old coals <br /><br /> (UK) If you go back to old problems and try to bring them back, making trouble for someone, you are raking over old <br /><br /> coals. <br /><br />Rake someone over the coals <br /><br /> (USA) If you rake someone over the coals, you criticize or scold them severely. <br /><br />Rank and file <br /><br /> The rank and file are the ordinary members of a company, organisation, etc, excluding the managers and directors. <br /><br />Rat race <br /><br /> The rat race is the ruthless, competitive struggle for success in work, etc. <br /><br />Rather you than me <br /><br /> Rather you than me is an expression used when someone has something unpleasant or arduous to do. It is meant in a <br /><br /> good natured way of expressing both sympathy and having a bit of a laugh at their expense. <br /><br />Raw deal <br /><br /> If you get a raw deal, you are treated unfairly. <br /><br />Read from the same page <br /><br /> When people are reading from the same page, they say the same things in public about an issue. <br /><br />Read someone the riot act <br /><br /> If you read someone the riot act, you give them a clear warning that if they don't stop doing something, they will be in <br /><br /> serious trouble. <br /><br />Real deal <br /><br /> If something is the real deal, it is genuine and good. <br /><br />Real McCoy <br /><br /> Something that's the real McCoy is the genuine article, not a fake. <br /><br />Real trooper <br /><br /> A real trooper is someone who will fight for what they believe in and doesn't give up easily. <br /><br />Recipe for disaster <br /><br /> A recipe for disaster is a mixture of people and events that could only possibly result in trouble. <br /><br />Red carpet <br /><br /> If you give someone the red-carpet treatment, you give them a special welcome to show that you think they are <br /><br /> important. You can roll out the red carpet, too. <br /><br />Red herring <br /><br /> If something is a distraction from the real issues, it is a red herring. <br /><br />Red letter day <br /><br /> A red letter day is a one of good luck, when something special happens to you. <br /><br />Red light district <br /><br /> The red light district is the area of a town or city where there is prostitution, sex shops, etc. <br /><br />Red mist <br /><br /> If someone sees red or the red mist, they lose their temper and self-control completely. <br /><br />Red rag to a bull <br /><br /> If something is a red rag to a bull, it is something that will inevitably make somebody angry or cross. <br /><br />Red tape <br /><br /> This is a negative term for the official paperwork and bureaucracy that we have to deal with. <br /><br />Reinvent the wheel <br /><br /> If someone reinvents the wheel, they waste their time doing something that has already been done by other people, <br /><br /> when they could be doing something more worthwhile. <br /><br />Renaissance man <br /><br /> A Renaissance man is a person who is talented in a number of different areas, especially when their talents include both <br /><br /> the sciences and the arts.<br /> <br /><br />Rest is gravy <br /><br /> (USA) If the rest is gravy, it is easy and straightforward once you have reached that stage. <br /><br />Rest on your laurels <br /><br /> If someone rests on their laurels, they rely on their past achievements, rather than trying to achieve things now. <br /><br />Revenge is sweet <br /><br /> When you are happy to be proved right, then you know that revenge is sweet. <br /><br />Rewrite history <br /><br /> If you rewrite history, you change your version of past events so as to make yourself look better than you would if the <br /><br /> truth was told. <br /><br />Rhyme or reason <br /><br /> If something is without rhyme or reason, it is unreasonable. ('Beyond rhyme or reason' is an alternative.) <br /><br />Rice missionary <br /><br /> A rice missionary gives food to hungry people as a way of converting them to Christianity. <br /><br />Rich as Croesus <br /><br /> Someone who is as rich as Croesus is very wealthy indeed. <br /><br />Ride roughshod <br /><br /> If someone rides roughshod over other people, they impose their will without caring at all for other people's feelings. <br /><br />Right as rain <br /><br /> If things are right as rain, then everything is going well in your life. <br /><br />Right royal <br /><br /> (UK) A right royal night out would be an extremely exciting, memorable and fun one. <br /><br />Right up my alley <br /><br /> If something is right up your alley, it suits you perfectly. <br /><br />Right up your street <br /><br /> If something is ideal for you, it is right up your street. <br /><br />Ring a bell <br /><br /> If something rings a bell, it reminds you of something you have heard before, though you may not be able to remember <br /><br /> it very well. A name may ring a bell, so you know you have heard the name before, but cannot place it properly. <br /><br />Ringside seat <br /><br /> If you have a ringside seat, you can observe something from a very close and clear position. <br /><br />Rip van Winkle <br /><br /> Rip van Winkle is a character in a story who slept for twenty years, so if someone is a Rip van Winkle, they are behind <br /><br /> the times and out of touch with what's happening now. <br /><br />Rise and shine <br /><br /> If you wake up full of energy, you rise and shine. <br /><br />Rise from the ashes <br /><br /> If something rises from the ashes, it recovers after a serious failure. <br /><br />Road to Damascus <br /><br /> If someone has a great and sudden change in their ideas or beliefs, then this is a road to Damascus change, after the <br /><br /> conversion of Saint Paul to Christianity while heading to Damascus to persecute Christians. <br /><br />Rob Peter to pay Paul <br /><br /> If you rob Peter to pay Paul, you try to solve one problem, but create another in doing so, often through short-term <br /><br /> planning. <br /><br />Rock the boat <br /><br /> If you rock the boat, you destabilise a situation by making trouble. It is often used as advice; 'Don't rock the boat'. <br /><br />Rocket science <br /><br /> If something is not rocket science, it is not very complicated or difficult to understand. This idiom is normally used in <br /><br /> the negative. <br /><br />Roll out the red carpet <br /><br /> If you roll out the red carpet, you treat someone in a special way, especially when welcoming them. <br /><br />Roll with the punches<br /><br /> If you roll with the punches, you are flexible and able to adapt to difficult circumstances.<br /><br />Rolling in the aisles <br /><br /> If the audience watching something are laughing loudly, the show has them rolling in the aisles. <br /><br />Rome was not built in a day <br /><br /> This idiom means that many things cannot be done instantly, and require time and patience. <br /><br />Rooted to the spot <br /><br /> If someone is rooted to the spot, they canot move, either physically or they cannot think their way out of a problem. <br /><br />Rose-colored glasses <br /><br /> If people see things through rose-colored (coloured) glasses, they see them in a more positive light than they really are. <br /><br />Rose-tinted glasses <br /><br /> If people see things through rose-tinted glasses, they see them in a more positive light than they really are. <br /><br />Rough and ready <br /><br /> If something is rough and ready, it has not been carefully prepared, but is fit for its purpose. If a person is rough and <br /><br /> ready, they are not very refined or mannered. <br /><br />Rough around the edges <br /><br /> If someone is rough around the edges, they haven't mastered something, though they show promise. <br /><br />Rough diamond <br /><br /> A rough diamond is a person who might be a bit rude but who is good underneath it all. <br /><br />Rough edges <br /><br /> If something has rough edges, it is still not a finished product and not all of a uniform standard. <br /><br />Rough-hewn <br /><br /> If something, especially something made from wood or stone, is rough-hewn, it is unfinished or unpolished. <br /><br />Round the bend <br /><br /> If someone has gone round the bend, they have stopped being rational about something. If something drives you round <br /><br /> the bend, it irritates you or makes you angry. <br /><br />Round the houses <br /><br /> If you go round the houses, you do something in an inefficient way when there is a quicker, more convenient way. <br /><br />Rub shoulders <br /><br /> If you rub shoulders with people, you meet and spend time with them, especially when they are powerful or famous. <br /><br />Rub someone up the wrong way <br /><br /> If you annoy or irritate someone when you didn't mean to, you rub them up the wrong way. <br /><br />Rudderless ship <br /><br /> If an organisation, company, government, etc, is like a rudderless ship, it has no clear direction and drifts about without <br /><br /> reaching its goals. <br /><br />Ruffle a few feathers <br /><br /> If you ruffle a few feathers, you annoy some people when making changes or improvements. <br /><br />Rule of thumb <br /><br /> Rule of thumb means approximately. <br /><br />Run a mile <br /><br /> If someone "Runs a mile", they do everything they can to avoid a situation. Example: "I was worried that he'd take one <br /><br /> look at me and run a mile." <br /><br />Run around the bush <br /><br /> (USA) If you run around the bush, it means that you're taking a long time to get to the point. <br /><br />Run before you can walk <br /><br /> If someone tries to run before they can walk, they try to do something requiring a high level of knowledge before they <br /><br /> have learned the basics. <br /><br />Run circles around someone <br /><br /> If you can run circles around someone, you are smarter and intellectually quicker than they are. <br /><br />Run into the sand <br /><br /> If something runs into the sand, it fails to achieve a result. <br /><br />Run out of gas <br /><br /> If a campaign, project, etc, runs out of gas, it loses energy and momentum, and progress slows or halts. <br /><br />Run rings around someone <br /><br /> If you run rings around someone, you are so much better than them that they have no chance of keeping up with you. <br /><br />Run the gauntlet <br /><br /> If somebody is being criticised harshly by a lot of people, they are said to run the gauntlet. <br /><br />Run the show <br /><br /> If someone runs the show, they like to be in control and make all the decisions. <br /><br />Run your mouth off <br /><br /> If someone runs their mouth off, they talk too much. <br /><br />Run-of-the-mill <br /><br /> If something is run-of-the-mill, there is nothing exceptional about it- it is ordinary or average. <br /><br />Running on empty <br /><br /> If you are exhausted but keep going, you are running on empty. <br /><br />Russian roulette <br /><br /> If people take a dangerous and unnecessary risk, they are playing Russian roulette. <br /><br />Rusty needle <br /><br /> When something is described as a rusty needle, it is badly damaged but still works, or if someone very is sick or tired <br /><br /> but still manages to do things at a fairly good level. An alternative form is "a tarnished needle". <br /><br /><br /><br />~ S ~ <br /><br /><br /><br />Sacred cow <br /><br /> Something that is a sacred cow is held in such respect that it cannot be criticised or attacked. <br /><br />Safe and sound <br /><br /> If you arrive safe and sound, then nothing has harmed you on your way. <br /><br />Safe bet <br /><br /> A proposition that is a safe bet doesn't have any risks attached. <br /><br />Safe pair of hands <br /><br /> A person who can be trusted to do something without causing any trouble is a safe pair of hands. <br /><br />Safety in numbers <br /><br /> If a lot of people do something risky at the same time, the risk is reduced because there is safety in numbers. <br /><br />Saigon moment <br /><br /> (USA) A Saigon moment is when people realise that something has gone wrong and that they will lose or fail. <br /><br />Sail close to the wind <br /><br /> If you sail close to the wind, you take risks to do something, going close to the limit of what is allowed or acceptable. <br /><br />Sail under false colours <br /><br /> Someone who sails under false colours (colors) is hypocritical or pretends to be something they aren't in order to <br /><br /> deceive people. <br /><br />Salad days <br /><br /> Your salad days are an especially happy period of your life. <br /><br />Salt in a wound <br /><br /> If you rub salt in a wound, you make someone feel bad about something that is already a painful experience. 'Pour salt <br /><br /> on a wound' is an alternative form of the idiom. <br /><br />Salt of the earth <br /><br /> People who are salt of the earth are decent, dependable and unpretentious. <br /><br />Save face <br /><br /> If someone saves face, they manage to protect their reputation. <br /><br />Save someone's bacon <br /><br /> If something saves your bacon, it saves your life or rescues you from a desperate situation. People can also save your <br /><br /> bacon. <br /><br />Save your skin <br /><br /> If someone saves their skin, they manage to avoid getting into serious trouble. <br /><br />Saved by the bell <br /><br /> If you are saved by the bell, you are rescued from a danger or a tricky situation just in time. <br /><br />Saving grace <br /><br /> If someone has some character defects, but has a characteristic that compensate for their failings and shortcomings, <br /><br /> this is their saving grace. <br /><br />Say uncle <br /><br /> (USA) If you say uncle, you admit defeat. ('Cry uncle' is an alternative form.) <br /><br />Say when <br /><br /> People say this when pouring a drink as a way of telling you to tell them when there's enough in your glass. <br /><br />Say-so <br /><br /> If you do something on someone else's say-so, you do it on the authority, advice or recommendation. <br /><br />Scales fall from your eyes <br /><br /> When the scales fall from your eyes, you suddenly realise the truth about something. <br /><br /><br /><br />Scare the daylights out of someone <br /><br /> If you scare the daylights out of someone, you terrify them. (This can be made even stronger by saying 'the living <br /><br /> daylights'.) <br /><br />Scarlet woman <br /><br /> This idiom is used as a pejorative term for a sexually promiscuous woman, especially an adulteress. <br /><br />Scattered to the four winds <br /><br /> If something's scattered to the four winds, it goes out in all directions. <br /><br />Scent blood <br /><br /> If you can scent blood, you feel that a rival is having difficulties and you are going to beat them. <br /><br />Scot free <br /><br /> If someone escapes scot free, they avoid payment or punishment. 'Scot' is an old word for a tax, so it originally referred <br /><br /> to avoiding taxes, though now has a wider sense of not being punished for someone that you have done. <br /><br />Scraping the barrel <br /><br /> When all the best people, things or ideas and so on are used up and people try to make do with what they have left, <br /><br /> they are scraping the barrel. <br /><br />Scream blue murder <br /><br /> If someone shouts very loudly in anger, or fear, they scream blue murder. <br /><br />Screw loose <br /><br /> If someone has a screw loose, they are crazy. <br /><br />Seamy side <br /><br /> The seamy side of something is the unpleasant or sordid aspect it has. <br /><br />Searching question <br /><br /> A searching question goes straight to the heart of the subject matter, possibly requiring an answer with a degree of <br /><br /> honesty that the other person finds uncomfortable. <br /><br />Second thoughts <br /><br /> If some has second thoughts, they start to think that an idea, etc, is not as good as it sounded at first and are starting to <br /><br /> have doubts. <br /><br />Second wind <br /><br /> If you overcome tiredness and find new energy and enthusiasm, you have second wind. <br /><br />See eye to eye <br /><br /> If people see eye to eye, they agree about everything. <br /><br />See red <br /><br /> If someone sees red, they become very angry about something. <br /><br />See the light <br /><br /> When someone sees the light, they realise the truth. <br /><br />See you anon <br /><br /> (UK) If somebody says this when leaving, they expect to see you again soon. <br /><br />Seed money <br /><br /> Seed money is money that is used to start a small business. <br /><br />Seeing is believing <br /><br /> This idiom means that people can only really believe what they experience personally. <br /><br />Seen better days <br /><br /> If something's seen better days, it has aged badly and visibly compared to when it was new. The phrase can also be <br /><br /> used to describe people. <br /><br />Sell down the river <br /><br /> If you sell someone down the river, you betray their trust. <br /><br />Sell like hot cakes <br /><br /> If a product is selling very well, it is selling like hot cakes. <br /><br />Sell your birthright for a mess of pottage <br /><br /> If a person sells their birthright for a mess of pottage, they accept some trivial financial or other gain, but lose <br /><br /> something much more important. 'Sell your soul for a mess of pottage' is an alternative form. <br /><br />Sell your soul <br /><br /> If someone sells their soul, their betray the most precious beliefs. <br /><br />Send someone to Coventry <br /><br /> (UK) If you send someone to Coventry, you refuse to talk to them or co-operate with them. <br /><br />Separate the sheep from the goats <br /><br /> If you separate the sheep from the goats, you sort out the good from the bad. <br /><br />Separate the wheat from the chaff <br /><br /> When you separate the wheat from the chaff, you select what is useful or valuable and reject what is useless or <br /><br /> worthless. <br /><br />Separate the wheat from the chaff <br /><br /> If you separate the wheat from the chaff, you separate things that are of a high standard from things that are of low <br /><br /> quality. <br /><br />Set in stone <br /><br /> If something is set in stone, it cannot be changed or altered. <br /><br />Set the wheels in motion <br /><br /> When you set the wheels in motion, you get something started. <br /><br />Set your sights on <br /><br /> If you set your sights on someone or something, it is your ambition to beat them or to achieve that goal. <br /><br />Seven sheets to the wind <br /><br /> If someone is seven sheets to the wind, they are very drunk. <br /><br />Seventh heaven <br /><br /> If you are in seventh heaven, you are extremely happy. <br /><br />Shades of meaning <br /><br /> Shades of meaning is a phrase used to describe the small, subtle differences in meaning between similar words or <br /><br /> phrases; 'kid' and 'youth' both refer to young people, but carry differing views and ideas about young people. <br /><br />Shaggy dog story <br /><br /> A shaggy dog story is a joke which is a long story with a silly end. <br /><br />Shake a leg <br /><br /> If you shake a leg, you are out of bed and active. <br /><br />Shanks's pony <br /><br /> (UK) If you go somewhere by Shanks's pony, you walk there. <br /><br />Shape up or ship out <br /><br /> If someone has to shape up or ship out, they have to improve or leave their job, organisation, etc. <br /><br />Sharp as a tack <br /><br /> (USA) If someone is as sharp as a tack, they are very clever indeed. <br /><br />Sharp cookie <br /><br /> Someone who isn't easily deceived or fooled is a sharp cookie. <br /><br />Shed light <br /><br /> If you shed light on something, you make it clearer and easier to understand. <br /><br />Shifting sands <br /><br /> If the sands are shifting, circumstances are changing. <br /><br />Shilly-shally <br /><br /> If people shilly-shally, they can't make up their minds about something and put off the decision. <br /><br />Ship came in <br /><br /> If your ship has come in, something very good has happened to you. <br /><br />Shipshape and Bristol fashion <br /><br /> If things are shipshape and Bristol fashion, they are in perfect working order. <br /><br />Shoe is on the other foot <br /><br /> If the shoe is on the other foot, someone is experiencing what they used to make others experience, normally negative <br /><br /> things. <br /><br />Shoestring <br /><br /> If you do something on a shoestring, you try to spend the absolute minimum amount of money possible on it. <br /><br />Shoot yourself in the foot <br /><br /> If you shoot yourself in the foot, you do something that damages your ambition, career, etc. <br /><br />Shooting fish in a barrel <br /><br /> If something is like shooting fish in a barrel, it is so easy that success is guaranteed. <br /><br />Short end of the stick <br /><br /> If someone gets the short end of the stick, they are unfairly treated or don't get what they deserve. <br /><br />Short shrift <br /><br /> If somebody gives you short shrift, they treat you rudely and brusquely, showing no interest or sympathy. <br /><br />Shot across the bow <br /><br /> A shot across the bow is a warning to tell someone to stop doing something or face very serious consequences. <br /><br />Shot in the dark <br /><br /> If you have a shot in the dark at something, you try something where you have little hope of success. <br /><br />Shotgun marriage <br /><br /> A shotgun marriage, or shotgun wedding, is one that is forced because of pregnancy. It is also used idiomatically for a <br /><br /> compromise, agreement or arrangement that is forced upon groups or people by necessity. <br /><br />Show me the money <br /><br /> When people say this, they either want to know how much they will be paid for something or want to see evidence that <br /><br /> something is valuable or worth paying for. <br /><br />Show someone a clean pair of heels <br /><br /> If you show someone a clean pair of heels, you run faster than them when they are chasing you. <br /><br />Shrinking violet <br /><br /> A shrinking violet is a shy person who doesn't express their views and opinions. <br /><br />Sick and tired <br /><br /> If you are sick and tired of something, it has been going on for a long time and you can no longer tolerate it.<br /> <br /><br />Sick as a dog <br /><br /> If somebody's as sick as a dog, they throw up (=vomit) violently. <br /><br />Sick as a parrot <br /><br /> If someone's sick as a parrot about something, they are unhappy, disappointed or depressed about it. <br /><br />Sick to death <br /><br /> If you are sick to death of something, you have been exposed to so much of it that you cannot take any more. <br /><br />Sight for sore eyes <br /><br /> Someone or something that is a sight for sore eyes is a pleasure to see. <br /><br />Sight to behold <br /><br /> If something is a sight to behold, it means that seeing it is in some way special, either spectacularly beautiful or, equally, <br /><br /> incredibly ugly or revolting, etc. <br /><br />Signed, sealed and delivered <br /><br /> If something's signed, sealed and delivered, it has been done correctly, following all the necessary procedures. <br /><br />Silence is golden <br /><br /> It is often better to say nothing than to talk, so silence is golden. <br /><br />Silly season <br /><br /> The silly season is midsummer when Parliament is closed and nothing much is happening that is newsworthy, which <br /><br /> reduces the press to reporting trivial and stupid stories. <br /><br />Silver bullet <br /><br /> A silver bullet is a complete solution to a large problem, a solution that seems magical. <br /><br />Silver screen <br /><br /> The silver screen is the cinema. <br /><br />Silver surfer <br /><br /> A silver surfer is an elderly person who uses the internet. <br /><br />Since time immemorial <br /><br /> If something has happened since time immemorial, it's been going on for such a long time that nobody can remember a <br /><br /> time without it. <br /><br /><br /><br />Sing from the same hymn sheet <br /><br /> If people are singing from the same hymn sheet, they are expressing the same opinions in public. <br /><br />Sink or swim <br /><br /> Of you are left to sink or swim, no one gives you any help and it's up to you whether you fail or succeed. <br /><br />Sit on the fence <br /><br /> If someone sits on the fence, they try not to support either side in a dispute. <br /><br />Sit pretty <br /><br /> Someone who's sitting pretty is in a very advantageous situation. <br /><br />Sitting duck <br /><br /> A sitting duck is something or someone that is easy to criticise or target. <br /><br />Six feet under <br /><br /> If someone is six feet under, they are dead. <br /><br />Six of one and half-a-dozen of the other <br /><br /> This is an idiom used when there is little or no difference between two options. <br /><br />Sixes and sevens <br /><br /> If something is all at sixes and sevens, then there is a lot of disagreement and confusion about what should be done. <br /><br />Sixty-four-thousand-dollar-question <br /><br /> The sixty-four-thousand-dollar-question is the most important question that can be asked about something. <br /><br />Skate on thin ice <br /><br /> If someone is skating on thin ice, they are taking a big risk. <br /><br />Skeleton in the closet <br /><br /> If someone has a skeleton in the closet, they have a dark, shameful secret in their past that they want to remain secret. <br /><br />Skin and bones <br /><br /> If someone is skin and bones, they are very underweight and look bad. <br /><br />Skin in the game <br /><br /> A person who has skin in the game has invested in the company they are running. <br /><br />Skin someone alive <br /><br /> If someone skins you alive, they admonish and punish you hard. <br /><br />Skunkworks <br /><br /> An unauthorised, or hidden program or activity, often research-oriented, and out of the bureaucratic chain of <br /><br /> command is known as a 'skunkworks'. <br /><br />Slap on the wrist <br /><br /> If someone gets a slap on the wrist, they get a very minor punishment when they could have been punished more <br /><br /> severely. <br /><br />Sleep like a baby <br /><br /> If you sleep very well, you sleep like a baby. <br /><br />Sleep like a log <br /><br /> If you sleep like a log, you sleep very soundly. <br /><br />Sleep well- don't let the bedbugs bite <br /><br /> This is a way of wishing someone a good night's sleep. <br /><br />Sleight of hand <br /><br /> Sleight of hand is the ability to use your hands in a clever way, like a magician performing tricks you can't see. <br /><br />Slim chance <br /><br /> A slim chance is a very small chance. <br /><br />Slip of the tongue <br /><br /> If you say something accidentally, it is a slip of the tongue. <br /><br />Slippery customer <br /><br /> A person from whom it is difficult to get anything definite or fixed is a slippery customer. <br /><br />Slippery slope <br /><br /> A slippery slope is where a measure would lead to further worse measures. <br /><br />Slough of despond <br /><br /> If someone is very depressed or in despair, they're in a slough of despond. <br /><br />Slow boat to China <br /><br /> This idiom is used to describe something that is very slow and takes a long time. <br /><br />Slow but sure <br /><br /> If something or someone is slow but sure, they may take their time to do something, but they are reliable. <br /><br />Smack in the face <br /><br /> If something is a smack in the face, it is a shock, usually one that impedes progress. <br /><br />Small beer <br /><br /> If something is small beer, it's unimportant. <br /><br />Small fry <br /><br /> If someone is small fry, they are unimportant. The term is often used when the police arrest the less important <br /><br /> criminals, but are unable to catch the leaders and masterminds. <br /><br />Smart Alec <br /><br /> A smart Alec is a conceited person who likes to show off how clever and knowledgeable they are. <br /><br />Smarty pants <br /><br /> A smarty pants is someone who displays the intelligence in an annoying way. <br /><br />Smell a rat <br /><br /> If you smell a rat, you know instinctively that something is wrong or that someone is lying to you. <br /><br />Smoke and mirrors <br /><br /> An attempt to conceal something is smoke and mirrors. <br /><br />Smoke like a chimney <br /><br /> Someone who smokes very heavily smokes like a chimney. <br /><br />Smoke the peace pipe <br /><br /> If people smoke the peace pipe, they stop arguing and fighting. <br /><br />Smokestack industry <br /><br /> Heavy industries like iron and steel production, especially if they produce a lot of pollution, are smokestack industries. <br /><br />Smoking gun <br /><br /> A smoking gun is definitive proof of someone's guilt. <br /><br /><br /><br />Smooth as a baby's bottom <br /><br /> If something is smooth as a baby's bottom, it has a regular, flat surface. <br /><br />Smooth sailing <br /><br /> <p>If something is smooth sailing, then you can progress without difficulty.</p><p>('Plain sailing' is an also used.) </p> <br /><br />Snake in the grass <br /><br /> Someone who is a snake in the grass betrays you even though you have trusted them. <br /><br />Snake oil salesperson <br /><br /> A person who promotes something that doesn't work, is selling snake oil. <br /><br />Snow job <br /><br /> (USA) A snow job is an attempt to persuade or deceive someone, especially when flattery is used. <br /><br />Snug as a bug in a rug <br /><br /> If you're as snug as a bug in a rug, you are feeling very comfortable indeed. <br /><br />So it goes <br /><br /> This idiom is used to be fatalistic and accepting when something goes wrong. <br /><br />So on and so forth <br /><br /> And so on and so forth mean the same as etcetera (etc.). <br /><br />Sod's law <br /><br /> Sod's law states that if something can go wrong then it will. <br /><br />Soft soap someone <br /><br /> If you soft soap someone, you flatter them. <br /><br />Some other time <br /><br /> If somebody says they'll do something some other time, they mean at some indefinite time in the future, possibly <br /><br /> never, but they certainly don't want to feel obliged to fix a specific time or date. <br /><br />Something nasty in the woodshed <br /><br /> Something nasty in the woodshed means that someone as a dark secret or an unpleasant experience in their past. <br /><br />Sound as a bell <br /><br /> If something or someone is as sound as a bell, they are very healthy or in very good condition. <br /><br />Sound as a pound <br /><br /> (UK) if something is as sound as a pound, it is very good or reliable. <br /><br />Sour grapes <br /><br /> When someone says something critical or negative because they are jealous, it is a case of sour grapes. <br /><br />Sow the seeds <br /><br /> When people sow the seeds, they start something that will have a much greater impact in the future. <br /><br />Spanner in the works <br /><br /> (UK) If someone puts or throws a spanner in the works, they ruin a plan. In American English, 'wrench' is used instead of <br /><br /> 'spanner'. <br /><br />Spare the rod and spoil the child <br /><br /> This means that if you don't discipline children, they will become spoilt. <br /><br />Speak of the devil! <br /><br /> If you are talking about someone and they happen to walk in, you can use this idiom as a way of letting them know you <br /><br /> were talking about them. <br /><br />Spend a penny <br /><br /> (UK) This is a euphemistic idiom meaning to go to the toilet. <br /><br />Spend like a sailor <br /><br /> Someone who spends their money wildly spends like a sailor. <br /><br />Spick and span <br /><br /> If a room is spick and span, it is very clean and tidy. <br /><br />Spill the beans <br /><br /> If you spill the beans, you reveal a secret or confess to something. <br /><br />Spinning a line <br /><br /> When someone spins you a line, they are trying to deceive you by lying. <br /><br />Spinning a yarn <br /><br /> When someone spins you a yarn, they are trying to deceive you by lying. <br /><br />Spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak <br /><br /> If the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak, someone lacks the willpower to change things they do because they derive <br /><br /> too much pleasure from them. <br /><br />Spirit of the law <br /><br /> The spirit of the law is the idea or ideas that the people who made the law wanted to have effect. <br /><br />Spit blood <br /><br /> If someone is spitting blood, they are absolutely furious. <br /><br />Spitting image <br /><br /> If a person is the spitting image of somebody, they look exactly alike. <br /><br />Split hairs <br /><br /> If people split hairs, they concentrate on tiny and unimportant details to find fault with something. <br /><br />Spoil the ship for a ha'pworth of tar <br /><br /> (UK) If someone spoils the ship for a ha'pworth (halfpenny's worth) of tar, they spoil something completely by trying to <br /><br /> make a small economy. <br /><br />Spot on <br /><br /> If something is spot on, it is exactly right. <br /><br />Sprat to catch a mackerel <br /><br /> If you use a sprat to catch a mackerel, you make a small expenditure or take a small risk in the hope of a much greater <br /><br /> gain. <br /><br />Spur of the moment <br /><br /> If you do something on the spur of the moment, you do it because you felt like it at that time, without any planning or <br /><br /> preparation. <br /><br /><br /><br />Sputnik moment <br /><br /> A Sputnik moment is a point where people realise that they are threatened of challenged and have to redouble their <br /><br /> efforts to catch up. It comes from the time when the Soviet Union launched the first satellite, the Sputnik 1, and beat <br /><br /> the USA into space. <br /><br />Square meal <br /><br /> A square meal is a substantial or filling meal. <br /><br />Square Mile <br /><br /> (UK) The Square Mile is the City, the financial area of London. <br /><br />Square peg in a round hole <br /><br /> If somebody's in a situation, organisation, etc, where they don't fit in and feel out of place, they are a square peg in a <br /><br /> round hole. <br /><br />Squeaky clean <br /><br /> If something is squeaky clean, it is very clean indeed- spotless. If a person is squeaky clean, they have no criminal record <br /><br /> and are not suspected of illegal or immoral activities. <br /><br />Squeaky wheel gets the grease <br /><br /> (USA) When people say that the squeaky wheel gets the grease, they mean that the person who complains or protests <br /><br /> the loudest attracts attention and service. <br /><br />Squeeze blood out of a turnip <br /><br /> (USA) When people say that you can't squeeze blood out of a turnip, it means that you cannot get something from a <br /><br /> person, especially money, that they don't have. <br /><br />Stand in good stead <br /><br /> If something will stand you in good stead, it will probably be advantageous in the future. <br /><br />Stars and stripes <br /><br /> The stars and stripes is the American flag. <br /><br />Stars in your eyes <br /><br /> Someone who dreams of being famous has stars in their eyes. <br /><br />State of the art <br /><br /> If something is state of the art, it is the most up-to-date model incorporating the latest and best technology. <br /><br />Status quo <br /><br /> Someone who wants to preserve the status quo wants a particular situation to remain unchanged. <br /><br />Steal someone's thunder <br /><br /> If someone steals your thunder, they take the credit and praise for something you did. <br /><br />Steer clear of <br /><br /> If you steer clear of something, you avoid it. <br /><br />Stem the tide <br /><br /> If people try to stem the tide, they are trying to stop something unpleasant from getting worse, usually when they don't <br /><br /> succeed. <br /><br />Step on it <br /><br /> This idiom is a way of telling someone to hurry up or to go faster. <br /><br />Step up to the plate <br /><br /> If someone steps up to the plate, they take on or accept a challenge or a responsibility. <br /><br />Stick out like a sore thumb <br /><br /> If something sticks or stands out like a sore thumb, it is clearly and obviously different from the things that are around <br /><br /> it. <br /><br />Stick to your guns <br /><br /> If you stick to your guns, you keep your position even though people attack or criticise you. <br /><br />Stick your neck out <br /><br /> If you stick you neck out, you take a risk because you believe in something. <br /><br />Stick your neck out <br /><br /> If you stick your neck out, you take a risk. <br /><br />Stick-in-the-mud <br /><br /> A stick-in-the-mud is someone who doesn't like change and wants things to stay the same. <br /><br />Sticking point <br /><br /> A sticking point is a controversial issue that blocks progress in negotiations, etc, where compromise is unlikely or <br /><br /> impossible. <br /><br />Sticky end <br /><br /> (UK) <p>If someone comes to a sticky end, they die in an unpleasant way.</p><p> </p><p>(Meet a sticky end' is also <br /><br /> used.) </p> <br /><br />Sticky wicket <br /><br /> (UK) If you are on a sticky wicket, you are in a difficult situation. <br /><br />Stiff upper lip <br /><br /> (UK) If you keep your emotions to yourself and don't let others know how you feel when something bad happens, you <br /><br /> keep a stiff upper lip. <br /><br />Stiff-necked <br /><br /> A stiff-necked person is rather formal and finds it hard to relax in company. <br /><br />Still in the game <br /><br /> If someone is still in the game, they may be having troubles competing, but they are not yet finished and may come <br /><br /> back. <br /><br />Still waters run deep <br /><br /> People use this idiom to imply that people who are quiet and don't try to attract attention are often more interesting <br /><br /> than people who do try to get attention. <br /><br />Stitch in time saves nine <br /><br /> A stitch in time saves nine means that if a job needs doing it is better to do it now, because it will only get worse, like a <br /><br /> hole in clothes that requires stitching. <br /><br />Stone dead <br /><br /> This idiom is a way of emphasizing that there were absolutely no signs of life or movement. <br /><br />Stone's throw <br /><br /> If a place is a stone's throw from where you are, it is a very short distance away. <br /><br /><br /><br />Stool pigeon <br /><br /> (USA) A stool pigeon is a police informer. <br /><br />Storm in a teacup <br /><br /> If someone exaggerates a problem or makes a small problem seem far greater than it really is, then they are making a <br /><br /> storm in a teacup. <br /><br />Straw man <br /><br /> A straw man is a weak argument that is easily defeated. It can also be a person who is used as to give an illegal or <br /><br /> inappropriate activity an appearance of respectability. <br /><br />Straw poll <br /><br /> A straw poll is a small unofficial survey or ballot to find out what people think about an issue. <br /><br />Straw that broke the camel's back <br /><br /> The straw that broke the camel's back is the problem that made you lose your temper or the problem that finally <br /><br /> brought about the collapse of something. <br /><br />Streets ahead <br /><br /> If people are streets ahead of their rivals, they are a long way in front. <br /><br />Strike a chord <br /><br /> If strikes a chord, it is familiar to you, reminds you of something or is connected to you somehow. <br /><br />Stroll down memory lane <br /><br /> If you take a stroll down memory lane, you talk about the past or revisit places that were important to you in the past. <br /><br /> (You can also 'take a trip down memory lane'.) <br /><br />Strong as an ox <br /><br /> Someone who's exceedingly strong physically is said to be as strong as an ox. <br /><br />Stubborn as a mule <br /><br /> Someone who will not listen to other people's advice and won't change their way of doing things is as stubborn as a <br /><br /> mule. <br /><br />Stuffed to the gills <br /><br /> If someone is stuffed to the gills, they have eaten a lot and are very full. <br /><br />Sure as eggs is eggs <br /><br /> These means absolutely certain, and we do say 'is' even though it is grammatically wrong. <br /><br />Sure-fire <br /><br /> If something is sure-fire, it is certain to succeed. ('Surefire' is also used.) <br /><br />Swansong <br /><br /> A person's swansong is their final achievement or public appearance. <br /><br />Swear like a sailor <br /><br /> Someone who is foul-mouthed and uses bad language all the time, swears like a sailor. <br /><br />Swear like a trooper <br /><br /> Someone who is foul-mouthed and uses bad language all the time, swears like a trooper. <br /><br />Sweat blood <br /><br /> If you sweat blood, you make an extraordinary effort to achieve something. <br /><br />Sweep things under the carpet <br /><br /> If people try to ignore unpleasant things and forget about them, they sweep them under the carpet. <br /><br />Swim against the tide <br /><br /> If you swim against the tide, you try to do something that is very difficult because there is a lot of opposition to you. <br /><br /> ('Go against the tide' is an alternative form.) <br /><br />Swim with the fishes <br /><br /> If someone is swimming with the fishes, they are dead, especially if they have been murdered. 'Sleep with the fishes' is <br /><br /> an alternative form. <br /><br />Swim with the tide <br /><br /> If you swim with the tide, you do the same as people around you and accept the general consensus. ('Go with the tide' <br /><br /> is an alternative form.) <br /><br />Swimmingly <br /><br /> If things are going swimmingly, they are going very well. <br /><br />Swings and roundabouts <br /><br /> If something's swings and roundabouts, it has about as many disadvantages as it has advantages. <br /><br /><br /><br />~ T ~ <br /><br /><br /><br />Tables are turned <br /><br /> When the tables are turned, the situation has changed giving the advantage to the party who had previously been at a <br /><br /> disadvantage. <br /><br />Tackle an issue <br /><br /> If you tackle an issue or problem, you resolve or deal with it. <br /><br />Take a leaf out of someone's book <br /><br /> If you take a leaf out of someone's book, you copy something they do because it will help you. <br /><br />Take a punch <br /><br /> If somebody takes a blow, something bad happens to them. <br /><br />Take a raincheck <br /><br /> If you take a rain check, you decline an offer now, suggesting you will accept it later. ('Raincheck' is also used.) <br /><br />Take a straw poll <br /><br /> If you take a straw poll, you sound a number of people out to see their opinions on an issue or topic. <br /><br />Take by the scruff of the neck <br /><br /> If you take something by the scruff on the neck, you take complete control of it. <br /><br />Take for granted <br /><br /> If you take something for granted, you don't worry or think about it because you assume you will always have it. <br /> If you take someone for granted, you don't show your appreciation to them. <br /><br />Take it on the chin <br /><br /> If you take something on the chin, something bad happens to you and you take it directly without fuss. <br /><br />Take someone down a peg <br /><br /> If someone is taken down a peg (or taken down a peg or two), they lose status in the eyes of others because of <br /><br /> something they have done wrong or badly. <br /><br />Take someone for a ride <br /><br /> If you are taken for a ride, you are deceived by someone. <br /><br />Take someone to the woodshed <br /><br /> If someone is taken to the woodshed, they are punished for something they have done. <br /><br />Take the biscuit <br /><br /> (UK) If something takes the biscuit, it is the absolute limit. <br /><br />Take the bull by its horns <br /><br /> Taking a bull by its horns would be the most direct but also the most dangerous way to try to compete with such an <br /><br /> animal. When we use the phrase in everyday talk, we mean that the person we are talking about tackles their problems <br /><br /> directly and is not worried about any risks involved. <br /><br />Take the chair <br /><br /> If you take the chair, your become the chairman or chairwoman of a committee, etc. <br /><br />Take the floor <br /><br /> Start talking or giving a speech to a group <br /><br />Take the plunge <br /><br /> If you take the plunge, you decide to do something or commit yourself even though you know there is an element of <br /><br /> risk involved. <br /><br />Take the rough with the smooth <br /><br /> People say that you have to take the rough with the smooth, meaning that you have to be prepared to accept the <br /><br /> disadvantages as well of the advantages of something. <br /><br />Take up the torch <br /><br /> If you take up the torch, you take on a challenge or responsibility, usually when someone else retires, or leaves an <br /><br /> organisation, etc. <br /><br />Take your breath away <br /><br /> If something takes your breath away, it astonishes or surprises you. <br /><br />Take your eye off the ball <br /><br /> If someone takes their eye off the ball, they don't concentrate on something important that they should be looking at. <br /><br />Take your eye off the ball <br /><br /> If you take your eye off the ball, you don't pay attention to something when you should be and miss something <br /><br /> important. <br /><br />Take your hat off to somebody <br /><br /> If you take your hat off to someone, you acknowledge that they have done something exceptional or otherwise deserve <br /><br /> your respect. <br /><br />Taken as read <br /><br /> If something can be taken as read, it is so definite that it's not necessary to talk about it. <br /><br />Talk a blue streak <br /><br /> (USA) If someone talks a blue streak, they speak quickly and at length. ('Talk up a blue streak' is also used.) <br /><br />Talk nineteen to the dozen <br /><br /> If someone talks very quickly, they talk nineteen to the dozen. <br /><br />Talk of the town <br /><br /> When everybody is talking about particular people and events, they are he talk of the town. <br /><br />Talk out of the back of your head <br /><br /> If someone is talking out of the back of their head, they are talking rubbish. <br /><br />Talk out of your hat <br /><br /> If someone is talking out of their hat, they're talking utter rubbish, especially if compounded with total ignorance of the <br /><br /> subject on which they are pontificating. ('Talk through your hat' is also used.) <br /><br />Talk shop <br /><br /> If you talk shop, you talk about work matters, especially if you do this outside work. <br /><br />Talk the hind legs off a donkey <br /><br /> A person who is excessively or extremely talkative can talk the hind legs off a donkey. <br /><br />Tall order <br /><br /> Something that is likely to be hard to achieve or fulfil is a tall order. <br /><br />Tall story <br /><br /> A tall story is one that is untrue and unbelievable. <br /><br />Tally ho! <br /><br /> (UK) This is an exclamation used for encouragement before doing something difficult or dangerous. <br /><br />Taste blood <br /><br /> If someone has tasted blood, they have achieved something and are encouraged to think that victory is within their <br /><br /> grasp. <br /><br />Taste of your own medicine <br /><br /> If you give someone a taste of their own medicine, you do something bad to someone that they have done to you to <br /><br /> teach them a lesson. <br /><br />Teach your grandmother to suck eggs <br /><br /> When people say 'don't teach your grandmother to suck eggs', they mean that people shouldn't try to teach someone <br /><br /> who has experience or is an expert in that area. <br /><br />Tear your hair out <br /><br /> If someone is tearing their hair out, they are extremely worried or agitated about something. <br /><br />Tears before bedtime <br /><br /> (UK) This idiom is used when something seems certain to go wrong or cause trouble. <br /><br />Teething problems <br /><br /> The problems that a project has when it's starting are the teething problems. <br /><br />Tempest in a teapot <br /><br /> If people exaggerate the seriousness of a situation or problem, they are making a tempest in a teapot. <br /><br /><br /><br />Ten a penny <br /><br /> (UK) If something is ten a penny, it is very common. ("Two a penny" is also used.) <br /><br />Test the waters <br /><br /> If you test the waters, or test the water, you experiment to see how successful or acceptable something is before <br /><br /> implementing it. <br /><br />That is the way the cookie crumbles <br /><br /> "That's the way the cookie crumbles" means that things don't always turn out the way we want. <br /><br />That's all she wrote <br /><br /> (USA) This idiom is used to show that something has ended and there is nothing more to say about something. <br /><br />The ball's in your court <br /><br /> If somebody says this to you, they mean that it's up to you to decide or take the next step. <br /><br />The be all and end all <br /><br /> The phrase 'The be all and end all' means that a something is the final, or ultimate outcome or result of a situation or <br /><br /> event. <br /><br />The common weal <br /><br /> If something is done for the common weal, it is done in the interests and for the benefit of the majority or the general <br /><br /> public. <br /><br />The grass is always greener <br /><br /> This idiom means that what other people have or do looks preferable to our life. The complete phrase is 'The grass is <br /><br /> always greener on the other side of the fence'. <br /><br />The more the merrier <br /><br /> The more the merrier means that the greater the quantity or the bigger the number of something, the happier the <br /><br /> speaker will be. <br /><br />The penny dropped <br /><br /> When the penny drops, someone belatedly understands something that everyone else has long since understood. <br /><br />The plot thickens <br /><br /> When the plot thickens, a situation become more complicated and difficult. <br /><br />The sands of time <br /><br /> The sands of time is an idiom meaning that time runs out either through something reaching an end or through a <br /><br /> person's death. It comes from the sand used in hourglasses, an ancient way of measuring time. <br /><br />The short straw <br /><br /> If you take the short straw, you lose a selection process, which means that you have to do something unpleasant. <br /><br />The sun might rise in the west <br /><br /> When people say this, they mean that they don't expect something to happen. <br /><br />The world and his wife <br /><br /> If the world and his wife were somewhere, then huge numbers of people were present. <br /><br />Their bark is worse than their bite <br /><br /> If someone's bark is worse than their bite, they get angry and shout and make threats, but don't actually do anything. <br /><br />There are many ways to skin a cat <br /><br /> This is an expression meaning there are many different ways of doing the same thing. <br /><br />There's no such thing as a free lunch <br /><br /> This idiom means that you don't get things for free, so if something appears to be free, there's a catch and you'll have <br /><br /> to pay in some way. <br /><br />There's the rub <br /><br /> The meaning of this idiom is 'that's the problem'. <br /><br />Thick and fast <br /><br /> If things are happening thick and fast, they are happening so fast they seemed to be joined together. <br /><br />Thick as thieves <br /><br /> If people are thick as thieves, they are very close friends who have no secrets from each other. <br /><br />Thick-skinned <br /><br /> If a person is thick-skinned, they are not affected by criticism. <br /><br />Thin as a rake <br /><br /> A rake is a garden tool with a long, thin, wooden handle, so someone very thin is thin as a rake. <br /><br />Thin blue line <br /><br /> (UK) The thin blue line is a term for the police, suggesting that they stand between an ordered society and potential <br /><br /> chaos. (Police uniforms are blue.) <br /><br />Thin end of the wedge <br /><br /> The thin end of the wedge is something small and seemingly unimportant that will lead to something much bigger and <br /><br /> more serious. <br /><br />Thin line <br /><br /> If there's a thin line between things, it's hard to distinguish them- there's a thin line between love and hate. <br /><br />Thin-skinned <br /><br /> If somebody is thin-skinned, they are very sensitive to any sort of criticism. <br /><br />Thin-skinned <br /><br /> A person who is thin-skinned is very sensitive to things like criticism. <br /><br />Think outside the box <br /><br /> If you think outside the box, you think in an imaginative and creative way. <br /><br />Think the world of <br /><br /> To hold something or someone in very high esteem. To love or admire immensely. <br /><br />Third degree <br /><br /> If someone is given the third degree, they are put under a great deal of pressure and intimidation to force them to tell <br /><br /> the truth about something. <br /><br />Third rail <br /><br /> The third rail of something is dangerous to alter or change. Originally, the third rail is the one carrying the electricity for <br /><br /> a train. <br /><br />Thorn in your side <br /><br /> A thorn in your side is someone or something that causes trouble or makes life difficult for you. <br /><br />Those who live by the sword die by the sword <br /><br /> This means that violent people will be treated violently themselves. <br /><br />Three sheets to the wind <br /><br /> If someone is three sheets to the wind, they are drunk. <br /><br />Thrilled to bits <br /><br /> If you are thrilled to bits, you are extremely pleased or excited about something. <br /><br />Through the ceiling <br /><br /> If prices go through the ceiling, they rise very quickly. <br /><br />Through the floor <br /><br /> If prices go, or fall, through the floor, they fall very quickly. <br /><br />Through thick and thin <br /><br /> If someone supports you through thick and thin, they support you during good times and bad. <br /><br />Throw a sickie <br /><br /> If you pretend to be ill to take a day off work or school, you throw a sickie. <br /><br />Throw caution to the wind <br /><br /> When people throw caution to the wind, they take a great risk. <br /><br />Throw down the gauntlet <br /><br /> Throw down the gauntlet is to issue a challenge to somebody. <br /><br />Throw in the towel <br /><br /> If you throw in the towel, you admit that you are defeated or cannot do something. <br /><br />Throw someone a line <br /><br /> If someone throws you a line, they give you help when you are in serious difficulties. <br /><br />Throw someone in at the deep end <br /><br /> If you are thrown in at the deep end, you have to deal with serious issues the moment you start something like a job, <br /><br /> instead of having time to acquire experience. <br /><br />Throw someone to the wolves <br /><br /> If someone is thrown to the wolves, they are abandoned and have to face trouble without any support. <br /><br />Throw the baby out with the bath water <br /><br /> If you get rid of useful things when discarding inessential things, you throw the baby out with the bath water. <br /><br />Throw the book at someone <br /><br /> If you throw the book at someone, you punish them as severely as possible. <br /><br />Throw your hat in the ring <br /><br /> If someone throws their hat in the ring, they announce that they want to take part in a competition or contest. 'Toss <br /><br /> your hat in the ring' is an alternative. <br /><br />Throw your weight around <br /><br /> If someone throws their weight around, they use their authority or force of personality to get what they want in the <br /><br /> face of opposition. <br /><br />Thumb your nose at <br /><br /> If you thumb your nose at something, you reject it or scorn it. <br /><br />Thumbs down & thumbs up <br /><br /> If something gets the thumbs up, it gets approval, while the thumbs down means disapproval. <br /><br />Tickle your fancy <br /><br /> If something tickles your fancy, it appeals to you and you want to try it or have it. <br /><br />Tickled pink <br /><br /> If you are very pleased about something, you are tickled pink. <br /><br />Tickled pink <br /><br /> If something tickles you pink, it amuses you. <br /><br />Tie the knot <br /><br /> When people tie the knot, they get married. <br /><br />Tight rein <br /><br /> If things or people are kept on a tight rein, they are given very little freedom or controlled carefully. <br /><br />Tight ship <br /><br /> If you run a tight ship, you control something strictly and don't allow people much freedom of action. <br /><br />Tighten your belt <br /><br /> If you have to tighten your belt, you have to economise. <br /><br />Till the pips squeak <br /><br /> If someone will do something till the pips squeak, they will do it to the limit, even though it will make other people <br /><br /> suffer. <br /><br />Till you're blue in the face <br /><br /> If you do something till you're blue in the face, you do it repeatedly without achieving the desired result until you're <br /><br /> incredibly frustrated. <br /><br />Tilt at windmills <br /><br /> A person who tilts at windmills, tries to do things that will never work in practice. <br /><br />Time and again <br /><br /> If something happens time and again, it happens repeatedly. ('Time and time again' is also used.) <br /><br />Time and tide wait for no man <br /><br /> This is used as a way of suggestion that people should act without delay. <br /><br />Time of your life <br /><br /> If you're having the time of your life, you are enjoying yourself very much indeed. <br /><br />Time-honoured practice <br /><br /> A time-honoured practice is a traditional way of doing something that has become almost universally accepted as the <br /><br /> most appropriate or suitable way. <br /><br />Tip of the iceberg <br /><br /> The tip of the iceberg is the part of a problem that can be seen, with far more serious problems lying underneath. <br /><br />Tipping point <br /><br /> Small changes may have little effect until they build up to critical mass, then the next small change may suddenly <br /><br /> change everything. this is the tipping point. <br /><br />Tired and emotional <br /><br /> (UK) This idiom is a euphemism used to mean 'drunk', especially when talking about politicians. <br /><br />Tit for tat <br /><br /> If someone responds to an insult by being rude back, it's tit for tat- repaying something negative the same way. <br /><br />To a fault <br /><br /> If something does something to a fault, they do it excessively. So someone who is generous to a fault is too generous. <br /><br />To a man <br /><br /> If a group of people does, believes, thinks, etc, something to a man, then they all do it. <br /><br />To a T <br /><br /> If something is done to a T, it is done perfectly. <br /><br />To err is human, to forgive divine <br /><br /> This idiom is used when someone has done something wrong, suggesting that they should be forgiven. <br /><br />To little avail <br /><br /> If something is to little avail, it means that, despite great efforts, something ended in failure, but taking comfort from <br /><br /> the knowledge that nothing else could have been done to avert or avoid the result. <br /><br />To the end of time <br /><br /> To the end of time is an extravagant way of saying 'forever'. <br /><br />Toe the line <br /><br /> If someone toes the line, they follow and respect the rules and regulations. <br /><br />Tomorrow's another day <br /><br /> This means that things might turn out better or that there might be another opportunity in the future. <br /><br />Tongue in cheek <br /><br /> If something is tongue in cheek, it isn't serious or meant to be taken seriously. <br /><br />Too big for your boots <br /><br /> If someone is too big for their boots, they are conceited and have an exaggerated sense of their own importance. <br /><br />Too big for your britches <br /><br /> If someone is too big for their britches, they are conceited and have an exaggerated sense of their own importance. <br /><br />Too many chiefs and not enough Indians <br /><br /> When there are too many chiefs and not enough Indians, there are two many managers and not enough workers to <br /><br /> work efficiently. <br /><br />Too many cooks spoil the broth <br /><br /> This means that where there are too many people trying to do something, they make a mess of it. <br /><br />Toot you own horn <br /><br /> If someone toot their own horn, they like to boast about their achievements. <br /><br />Top dog <br /><br /> The most important or influential person is the top dog. <br /><br />Top notch <br /><br /> If something is top notch, it's excellent, of the highest quality or standard. <br /><br />Touch base <br /><br /> If you touch base with someone, you contact them. <br /><br />Touch wood <br /><br /> This idiom is used to wish for good luck. ('Knock on wood' is also used.) <br /><br />Touch-and-go <br /><br /> If something is touch-and-go, it is very uncertain; if someone is ill and may well die, then it is touch-and-go. <br /><br />Tough as old boots <br /><br /> Something or someone that is as tough as old boots is strong and resilient. <br /><br />Tough cookie <br /><br /> A tough cookie is a person who will do everything necessary to achieve what they want. <br /><br />Tough nut to crack <br /><br /> If something is a tough nut to crack, it is difficult to find the answer or solution. When used about a person, it means <br /><br /> that it is difficult to get them to do or allow what you want. 'Hard nut to crack' is an alternative. <br /><br />Tough row to hoe <br /><br /> (USA) A tough row to hoe is a situation that is difficult to handle. ('A hard row to hoe' is an alternative form.) <br /><br />Trade barbs <br /><br /> <p>If people trade barbs, they insult or attack each other.</p> <br /><br />Tread the boards <br /><br /> When someone treads the boards, they perform on stage in a theatre. <br /><br />Tread water <br /><br /> If someone is treading water, they are making no progress. <br /><br />Tried and tested <br /><br /> If a method has been tried and tested, it is known to work or be effective because it has been successfully used long <br /><br /> enough to be trusted. <br /><br />True blue <br /><br /> A person who is true blue is loyal and dependable, someone who can be relied on in all circumstances. <br /><br />True colours <br /><br /> If someone shows their true colours, they show themselves as they really are. ('True colors' is the American spelling.) <br /><br />Trump card <br /><br /> A trump card is a resource or strategy that is held back for use at a crucial time when it will beat rivals or opponents. <br /><br />Truth will out <br /><br /> Truth will out means that, given time, the facts of a case will emerge no matter how people might try to conceal them. <br /><br />Turf war <br /><br /> If people or organisations are fighting for control of something, it is a turf war. <br /><br />Turn a blind eye <br /><br /> When people turn a blind eye, they deliberately ignore something, especially if people are doing something wrong. <br /><br />Turn a deaf ear <br /><br /> If someone turns a deaf ear to you, they don't listen to you. <br /><br />Turn a new leaf <br /><br /> If someone turns a new leaf, they change their behaviour and stop doing wrong or bad things. <br /><br />Turn the corner <br /><br /> To get over a bad run. When a loss making venture ceases to make losses, it has "turned the corner". <br /><br />Turn the other cheek <br /><br /> If you turn the other cheek, you are humble and do not retaliate or get outwardly angry when someone offends or <br /><br /> hurts you, in fact, you give them the opportunity to re-offend instead and compound their unpleasantness. <br /><br />Turn the tables <br /><br /> If circumstances change completely, giving an advantage to those who seemed to be losing, the tables are turned. <br /><br />Turn up like a bad penny <br /><br /> If someone turns up like a bad penny, they go somewhere where they are not wanted. <br /><br />Turn your nose up <br /><br /> If someone turns their nose up at something, they reject it or look odwn on it because they don't think it is good <br /><br /> enough for them. <br /><br />Twenty-four seven <br /><br /> Twenty-four seven or 24/7 means all the time, coming from 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. <br /><br />Twinkling of an eye <br /><br /> If something happens in the twinkling of an eye, it happens very quickly. <br /><br />Twist someone's arm <br /><br /> If you twist someone's arm, you put pressure on them to try to make them do what you want them to do. <br /><br />Two cents <br /><br /> If you add or throw in your two cents, you give your opinion on an issue. <br /><br />Two left feet <br /><br /> A person with two left feet can't dance. <br /><br />Two peas in a pod <br /><br /> <p>If things or people are like two peas in a pod, they look very similar or are always together.</p> <br /><br />Two sides of the same coin <br /><br /> If two things are two sides of the same coin, there is much difference between them. <br /><br />Two-faced <br /><br /> Someone who is two-faced will say one thing to your face and another when you're not there. <br /><br /><br /><br />~ U ~ <br /><br /><br /><br />U-turn <br /><br /> If a government changes its position radically on an issue, especially when they have promised not to do so, this is a U- <br /><br /> turn. <br /><br />Ugly as a stick <br /><br /> (USA) If someone is as ugly as a stick, they are very ugly indeed.<br /> <br /><br />Ugly duckling <br /><br /> An ugly duckling is a child who shows little promise, but who develops later into a real talent or beauty. <br /><br />Uncharted waters <br /><br /> If you're in uncharted waters, you are in a situation that is unfamiliar to you, that you have no experience of and don't <br /><br /> know what might happen. ('Unchartered waters' is an incorrect form that is a common mistake.) <br /><br />Uncle Sam <br /><br /> (USA) Uncle Sam is the government of the USA. <br /><br />Under a cloud)<br /><br /> If someone is suspected of having done something wrong, they are under a cloud. <br /><br />Under a flag of convenience <br /><br /> If a ship sails under a flag of convenience, it is registered in a country where taxes, etc, are lower than in the country it <br /><br /> comes from, so if someone does something under a flag of convenience, they attempt to avoid regulations and taxes by <br /><br /> a similar means. <br /><br />Under false colours <br /><br /> If someone does something under false colours/colors, they pretend to be something they are not in order to deceive <br /><br /> people so that they can succeed. <br /><br />Under fire <br /><br /> If someone is being attacked and cricitised heavily, they are under fire. <br /><br />Under lock and key <br /><br /> If something is under lock and key, it is stored very securely. <br /><br />Under the radar <br /><br /> If something slips under the radar, it isn't detected or noticed. <br /><br />Under the table <br /><br /> Bribes or illegal payments are often described as money under the table. <br /><br />Under the weather <br /><br /> If you are feeling a bit ill, sad or lack energy, you are under the weather. <br /><br />Under the wire <br /><br /> (USA) If a person does something under the wire, they do it at the last possible moment. <br /><br />Under your breath <br /><br /> If you say something under your breath, you whisper or say it very quietly. <br /><br />Under your nose <br /><br /> If something happens right in front of you, especially if it is surprising or audacious, it happens under your nose. <br /><br />Under your skin <br /><br /> If someone gets under your skin, they really annoy you. <br /><br />Under your thumb <br /><br /> Someone who is manipulated or controlled by another person is under his or her thumb. <br /><br />Unwavering loyalty <br /><br /> Unwavering loyalty does not question or doubt the person or issue and supports them completely. <br /><br />Up for grabs <br /><br /> If something is up for grabs, it is available and whoever is first or is successful will get it. <br /><br />Up in the air <br /><br /> If a matter is up in the air, no decision has been made and there is uncertainty about it. <br /><br />Up sticks <br /><br /> (UK) If you up sticks, you leave somewhere, usually permanently and without warning- he upped sticks and went to <br /><br /> work abroad. <br /><br />Up the ante <br /><br /> If you up the ante, you increase the importance or value of something, especially where there's an element of risk as <br /><br /> the term comes from gambling, where it means to increase the stake (the amount of money bet). <br /><br />Up the creek <br /><br /> If someone or something is up the creek, they are in real trouble. 'Up the creek without a paddle' is an alternative, and <br /><br /> 'up shit creek (without a paddle)' is a ruder form. <br /><br />Up the duff <br /><br /> (UK) If a woman is up the duff, she's pregnant. <br /><br />Up the spout <br /><br /> (UK) If something has gone up the spout, it has gone wrong or been ruined. <br /><br />Up the stick <br /><br /> (UK) If a woman is up the stick, she's pregnant. <br /><br />Up the wall <br /><br /> If someone goes up the wall, they get very angry. <br /><br />Up to scratch <br /><br /> If something doesn't come up to scratch, it doesn't meet the standard required or expected. <br /><br />Up to snuff <br /><br /> If something isn't up to snuff, it doesn't meet the standard expected. <br /><br />Up to speed <br /><br /> If you bring someone up to speed, you update them on something. <br /><br />Up to the eyes <br /><br /> You you are up to your eyes in something, you are deeply involved or to have too much of something like work. ('Up the <br /><br /> neck', 'up to the eyeballs' and 'up to the ears' are also used.) <br /><br />Up to the neck <br /><br /> If someone's in something up to the neck, they are very involved in it, especially when it's something wrong. <br /><br />Up to your neck <br /><br /> If someone is very involved in something, they are up to their neck in it, especially if it is something bad or immoral. <br /><br />Upper crust <br /><br /> The upper crust are the upper classes and the establishment. <br /><br />Upper hand <br /><br /> If you have the upper hand, you have the advantage. <br /><br />Upset the apple cart <br /><br /> If you upset the apple cart, you cause trouble and upset people. <br /><br /><br /><br />~ V ~ <br /><br /><br /><br />Vale of tears <br /><br /> This vale of tears is the world and the suffering that life brings. <br /><br />Velvet glove <br /><br /> This idiom is used to describe a person who appears gentle, but is determined and inflexible underneath. ('Iron fist in a <br /><br /> velvet glove' is the full form.) <br /><br />Vent your spleen <br /><br /> If someone vents their spleen, they release all their anger about something. <br /><br />Vicar of Bray <br /><br /> (UK) A person who changes their beliefs and principles to stay popular with people above them is a Vicar of Bray <br /><br />Vicious circle <br /><br /> A vicious circle is a sequence of events that make each other worse- someone drinks because they are unhappy at <br /><br /> work, then loses their job... 'Vicious cycle' is also used. <br /><br />Virgin territory <br /><br /> If something is virgin territory, it hasn't been explored before. <br /><br />Volte-face <br /><br /> If you do a volte-face on something, you make a sudden and complete change in your stance or position over an issue. <br /><br /><br /><br />~ W ~ <br /><br /><br /><br />Waiting in the wings <br /><br /> If someone is waiting in the wings, or in the wings, they are in the background, but nearby, ready to act on short notice. <br /><br />Wake-up call <br /><br /> A wake-up call is a warning of a threat or a challenge, especially when it means that people will have to change their <br /><br /> behaviour to meet it. <br /><br />Walk a fine line <br /><br /> If you have to walk a fine line, you have to be very careful not to annoy or anger people or groups that are competing. <br /><br /> ('Walk a thin line' is an alternative.) <br /><br />Walk a mile in my shoes <br /><br /> This idiom means that you should try to understand someone before criticizing them. <br /><br />Walk a tightrope <br /><br /> If you walk a tightrope, you have to be very careful not to annoy or anger people who could become enemies. <br /><br />Walk in the park <br /><br /> An undertaking that is easy is a walk in the park. The opposite is also true - "no walk in the park". <br /><br /><br /><br />Walk on eggshells <br /><br /> If you have to walk on eggshells when with someone, you have to be very careful because they get angry or offended <br /><br /> very easily. <br /><br />Walk the green mile <br /><br /> Someone or something that is walking the green mile is heading towards the inevitable. <br /><br />Wallflower <br /><br /> A woman politician given an unimportant government position so that the government can pretend it takes women <br /><br /> seriously is a wallflower. <br /><br />War of words <br /><br /> A war of words is a bitter argument between people or organisations, etc. <br /><br />Warm the cockles of your heart <br /><br /> If something warms the cockles of your heart, it makes you feel happy. <br /><br />Warpath <br /><br /> If someone is on the warpath, they are very angry about something and will do anything to get things sorted the way <br /><br /> they want. <br /><br />Warts and all <br /><br /> If you like someone warts and all, you like them with all their faults. <br /><br />Wash your hands of something <br /><br /> If you wash your hands of something, you disassociate yourself and accept no responsibility for what will happen. <br /><br />Waste not, want not <br /><br /> If you don't waste things, you are less likely to end up lacking. <br /><br />Watch your six <br /><br /> (USA) This idiom means that you should look behind you for dangers coming that you can't see. <br /><br />Watching paint dry <br /><br /> If something is like watching paint dry, it is really boring. <br /><br />Water off a duck's back <br /><br /> If criticism or something similar is like water off a duck's back to somebody, they aren't affected by it in the slightest. <br /><br />Water over the dam <br /><br /> (USA) If something has happened and cannot be changed, it is water over the dam. <br /><br />Water under the bridge <br /><br /> If something belongs to the past and isn't important or troubling any more, it is water under the bridge. <br /><br />Watering hole <br /><br /> (UK) A watering hole is a pub. <br /><br />Weak at the knees <br /><br /> If people go weak at the knees, they have a powerful emotional reaction to something and feel that they might fall <br /><br /> over. <br /><br />Wear sackcloth and ashes <br /><br /> If someone displays their grief or contrition publicly, they wear sackcloth and ashes. <br /><br />Wear your heart on your sleeve <br /><br /> Someone who wears their heart on their sleeve shows their emotions and feelings publicly. <br /><br />Weather a storm <br /><br /> If you weather a storm, you get through a crisis or hard times. <br /><br />Weight off your shoulders <br /><br /> If something is a weight off your shoulders, you have relieved yourself of a burden, normally a something that has been <br /><br /> troubling you or worrying you. <br /><br />Wet behind the ears <br /><br /> Someone who is wet behind the ears is either very young or inexperienced. <br /><br />Wet blanket <br /><br /> A wet blanket is someone who tries to spoil other people's fun. <br /><br />Wet your whistle <br /><br /> If you are thirsty and have an alcoholic drink, you wet your whistle. "Whet your whistle" is also used. <br /><br />What can you expect from a hog but a grunt? <br /><br /> (USA) This means that you can't expect people to behave in a way that is not in their character- a 'hog' is a 'pig', so an <br /><br /> unrefined person can't be expected to behave in a refined way. <br /><br />What goes around comes around <br /><br /> This saying means that of people do bad things to other people, bad things will happen to them. <br /><br />What will be will be <br /><br /> The expression what will be will be is used to describe the notion that fate will decide the outcome of a course of <br /><br /> events, even if action is taken to try to alter it. <br /><br />What's good for the goose is good for the gander <br /><br /> This idiom means that the sexes should be treated the same way and not be subjected to different standards. <br /><br />What's your take on that? <br /><br /> This idiom is way of asking someone for their opinion and ideas. <br /><br />Whatever floats your boat <br /><br /> When people say this, they mean that you should do whatever makes you happy. <br /><br />Wheels fall off <br /><br /> When the wheels fall off something, it goes wrong or fails. ('Wheels come off' is an alternative.) <br /><br />When hell freezes over <br /><br /> An impossible or very unlikely situation or event <br /><br />When in Rome, do as the Romans <br /><br /> This idiom means that when you are visiting a different place or culture, you should try to follow their customs and <br /><br /> practices. <br /><br />When it rains, it pours <br /><br /> This idiom means that when things go wrong, a lot of things go wrong at the same time. <br /><br />Where the rubber meets the road <br /><br /> (USA) Where the rubber meets the road is the most important point for something, the moment of truth. An athlete <br /><br /> can train all day, but the race is where the rubber meets the road and they'll know how good they really are. <br /><br />Where there's a will, there's a way <br /><br /> This idiom means that if people really want to do something, they will manage to find a way of doing it. <br /><br />Whet your appetite <br /><br /> If something whets your appetite, it interests you and makes you want more of it. <br /><br />Which came first the chicken or the egg? <br /><br /> This idiomatic expression is used when it is not clear who or what caused something. <br /><br />While the cat's away, the mouse will play <br /><br /> People whose behaviour is strictly controlled go over the top when the authority is not around, which is why most <br /><br /> teenagers have parties when their parents have gone on holiday. The parents are the scary authority figures, but the <br /><br /> cat's away and the kids are the mice partying and enjoying their freedom. <br /><br />Whistle for it <br /><br /> If someone says that you can whistle for something, they are determined to ensure that you don't get it. <br /><br />Whistle-stop tour <br /><br /> A whistle-stop tour is when someone visits a number of places quickly, not stopping for long. <br /><br />Whistling Dixie <br /><br /> (USA) If someone is whistling Dixie, they talk about things in a more positive way than the reality. <br /><br />Whistling in the dark <br /><br /> If someone is whistling in the dark, they believe in a positive result, even though everybody else is sure it will not <br /><br /> happen. <br /><br />Whistling past the graveyard <br /><br /> (USA) If someone is whistling past the graveyard, they are trying to remain cheerful in difficult circumstances. <br /><br /> ('Whistling past the cemetery' is also used.) <br /><br />White as a sheet <br /><br /> A bad shock can make somebody go as white as a sheet. <br /><br />White as snow <br /><br /> If something or someone is as white as snow, they are perfect or completely uncorrupted and honest. <br /><br />White elephant <br /><br /> A white elephant is an expensive burden; something that costs far too much money to run, like the Millennium Dome in <br /><br /> the UK. <br /><br />White lie <br /><br /> If you tell a white lie, you lie in order not to hurt someone's feelings. <br /><br />White-bread <br /><br /> If something is white-bread, it is very ordinary, safe and boring. <br /><br />Who wears the pants? <br /><br /> (USA) The person who wears the pants in a relationship is the dominant person who controls things. <br /><br />Who wears the trousers? <br /><br /> (UK) The person who wears the trousers in a relationship is the dominant person who controls things. <br /><br />Whole ball of wax <br /><br /> (USA) The whole ball of wax is everything. <br /><br />Whole kit and caboodle <br /><br /> The whole kit and caboodle means 'everything' required or involved in something. ('Kaboodle' is an alternative <br /><br /> spelling.) <br /><br />Whole new ball game <br /><br /> If something's a whole new ball game, it is completely new or different. <br /><br />Whole shebang <br /><br /> The whole shebang includes every aspect of something. <br /><br />Wide berth <br /><br /> If you give someone a wide berth, you keep yourself well away from them because they are dangerous. <br /><br />Wide of the mark <br /><br /> If something is wide of the mark, it is inaccurate or incorrect. <br /><br />Wild goose chase <br /><br /> A wild goose chase is a waste of time- time spent trying to do something unsuccessfully. <br /><br />Will never fly <br /><br /> If an idea or project, etc, will never fly, it has no chance of succeeding. <br /><br />Will-o'-the-wisp <br /><br /> Something that deceives by its appearance is a will-o’-the-wisp; it looks good, but turns out to be a disappointment. <br /><br />Win by a nose <br /><br /> If somebody wins by a nose, they only just beat the others. <br /><br />Window dressing <br /><br /> If something is done to pretend to be dealing with an issue or problem, rather than actually dealing with it, it is window <br /><br /> dressing. <br /><br />Wing and a prayer <br /><br /> If you do something on a wing and a prayer, you try to do something and hope you'll succeed even though you have <br /><br /> very little chance of success. <br /><br />Winner takes all <br /><br /> If everything goes to the winner, as in an election, the winner takes all. <br /><br />Wipe the floor with <br /><br /> (UK) If you wipe the floor with someone, you destroy the arguments or defeat them easily. <br /><br />Wipe the smile of someone's face <br /><br /> If you wipe the smile of someone's face, you do something to make someone feel less pleased with themselves. <br /><br />With a heavy hand <br /><br /> If someone does something with a heavy hand, they do it in a strict way, exerting a lot of control. <br /><br />With child <br /><br /> (UK) If a woman's with child, she's pregnant. <br /><br />With flying colours (colors) <br /><br /> If you pass something with flying colours (colors), you pass easily, with a very high mark or grade. <br /><br />Wither on the vine <br /><br /> If something withers on the vine, it fails to get the intended result, doesn't come to fruition. <br /><br />Without a hitch <br /><br /> If something happens without a hitch, nothing at all goes wrong. <br /><br />Wolf in sheep's clothing <br /><br /> A wolf in sheep's clothing is something dangerous that looks quite safe and innocent. <br /><br />Wood for the trees <br /><br /> (UK) If someone can't see the wood for the trees, they get so caught up in small details that they fail to understand the <br /><br /> bigger picture. <br /><br />Word of mouth <br /><br /> If something becomes known by word of mouth, it is because people are talking about it, not through publicity, etc. <br /><br />Word of the law <br /><br /> The word of the law means that the law is interpreted in an absolutely literal way which goes against the ideas that the <br /><br /> lawmakers had wished to implement. <br /><br />Words fail me <br /><br /> If words fail you, you can't find the words to express what you are trying to say. <br /><br />Work like a dog <br /><br /> If you work like a dog, you work very hard. <br /><br />Work your fingers to the bone <br /><br /> If you work your fingers to the bone, you work extremely hard on something. <br /><br />Work your socks off <br /><br /> If you work your socks off, you work very hard. <br /><br />Work your socks off <br /><br /> If you work your socks off, you work very hard indeed. <br /><br />Work your tail off <br /><br /> If you work your tail off, you work extremely hard. <br /><br />World at your feet <br /><br /> If everything is going well and the future looks full of opportunity, you have the world at your feet. <br /><br />World is your oyster<br /><br /> When the world is your oyster, you are getting everything you want from life. <br /><br />Worm information <br /><br /> If you worm information out of somebody, you persuade them to tell you something they wanted to keep from you. <br /><br />Worm's eye view <br /><br /> A worm's eye view of something is the view from below, either physically or socially. <br /><br />Worse for wear <br /><br /> If something's worse for wear, it has been used for a long time and, consequently, isn't in very good condition. A person who's worse for wear is drunk or high on drugs and looking rough. <br /><br />Worse things happen at sea <br /><br /> This idiomatic expression is used as a way of telling someone not to worry so much about their problems. <br /><br />Worth your salt <br /><br /> Someone who is worth their salt deserves respect. <br /><br />Wouldn't touch it with a bargepole <br /><br /> (UK) If you wouldn't touch something with a bargepole, you would not consider being involved under any circumstances. (In American English, people say they wouldn't touch it with a ten-foot pole) <br /><br />Wouldn't touch it with a ten-foot pole <br /><br /> (USA) If you wouldn't touch something with a ten-foot pole, you would not consider being involved under any <br /><br /> circumstances. (In British English, people say they wouldn't touch it with a bargepole) <br /><br />Wrap yourself in the flag <br /><br /> If someone wraps themselves in the flag, they pretend to be doing something for patriotic reasons or out of loyalty, but <br /><br /> their real motives are selfish. ('Drape yourself in the flag' is an alternative form of this idiom) <br /><br />Wrench in the works <br /><br /> (USA) If someone puts or throws a wrench, or monkey wrench, in the works, they ruin a plan. In British English, <br /><br /> 'spanner' is used instead of 'wrench'. <br /><br />Writ large <br /><br /> If something is writ large, it is emphasised or highlighted. <br /><br />Writing on the wall <br /><br /> If the writing's on the wall for something, it is doomed to fail. <br /><br />Written all over your face <br /><br /> If someone has done something wrong or secret, but cannot hide it in their expression, it is written all over their face. <br /><br />Wrong end of the stick <br /><br /> If someone has got the wrong end of the stick, they have misunderstood what someone has said to them. <br /><br />Wrong foot <br /><br /> If you start something on the wrong foot, you start badly. <br /><br /><br /><br />~ X ~ <br /><br /><br /><br />X factor <br /><br /> The dangers for people in the military that civilians do not face, for which they receive payment, are known as the X <br /><br /> factor. <br /><br />X marks the spot <br /><br /> This is used to say where something is located or hidden. <br /><br />X-rated <br /><br /> If something is x-rated, it is not suitable for children. <br /><br /><br /><br />~ Z ~ <br /><br /><br /><br />Zero hour <br /><br /> The time when something important is to begin is zero hour. <br /><br />Zero tolerance <br /><br /> If the police have a zero tolerance policy, they will not overlook any crime, no matter how small or trivial. <br /><br />Zip it <br /><br /> This is used to tell someone to be quiet. <br /><br />Zip your lip <br /><br /> If someone tells you to zip your lip, they want to to shut up or keep quiet about something. ('Zip it' is also used.) <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></p><br /><p style="color:#008;text-align:right;"></p><br />Wojtekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00118240525803861208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6935242063129568447.post-9775334246904958122009-04-25T14:45:00.001+02:002009-04-25T14:48:33.133+02:00SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT<span style="font-size:85%;">1 Do you know where the rumours in today's paper emanate/radiate/stream from ?<br />2 He brought/let/allowed himself in for criticism when he published the children's<br />photographs in the newspaper.<br />3 I worked for a local paper but gave in my notice because it turned out to be a<br />final/dead/blank end job.<br />4 The editor told the retiring journalist that he would be severely/sorely/terribly<br />missed.<br />S From slight/plain/modest beginnings, the journal has developed into a publication<br />with a world-class reputation.<br />6 A reader complained to the publisher, who in line/turn/series, said something to<br />the editor.<br />7 They refused to publish the story in the light/on the grounds/on the understanding<br />that it was not in the national interest.<br />8 The political column was definitely out of taste/sense/keeping with the independent<br />stance of the paper.<br />9 The paper makes a sharp/severe/clean distinction between matters which are in<br />the public domain and those which should remain private.<br />10 As the new editor, I see my job as assigning/obtaining/entailing responsibility to<br />all members of staff.<br />11 The chemical works has done untold/unspoken damage to the surrounding environment.<br />12 The hyenas carried off the remains of the zebra's carcass/corpse.<br />13 The zoologist thanked the audience for their participation/contribution to the workshop.<br />14 A bite from this snake would deliver a mortal/lethal dose for a small child.<br />15 The monkeys all caught a particularly noxious/virulent form of the disease.<br />16 The aye-aye is famed/reputed to be one of the more elusive animals.<br />17 There is no obvious inheritor/successor to the retiring head of the zoo.<br />18 The fox is fiercely/notoriously difficult to keep in captivity.<br />19 The court found the man guilty of cruelty and banned/excluded him from keeping<br />animals. <br />20 The sick animal had to be provoked/coaxed into eating its food.<br />21 Even today, forests are still being cleared and in regression/in retrospect this will<br />certainly be seen as a mistake.<br />22 The warden emerged from his hiding place and came eye to eye/face to face with the<br />poachers.<br />23 The hut we built has fallen down already so it's back to the designing/drawing<br />board.<br />24 The latest research casts/flings new light on human evolution.<br />25 Then the man saw the scorpion crawling into his son's cot, he moved like<br />lightning/thunder.<br />26 My parents want me to go to university but I have mixed/second feelings about it.<br />27 He picked up the kitten by the scruff/tuck of the neck.<br />28 I was so taken about/aback by what I saw that I couldn't speak for a time.<br />29 Most sharks do not attack/prey on humans.<br />30 It's freezing in this house! Look at me - I've got duck/goose pimples!<br />31 The young cat licked her newly/firstly born kittens all over.<br />32 You have to be tough in the world of advertising. Survival of the best/fittest is the<br />rule in this game.<br />33 I couldn't answer his question so I just shrugged/tugged my shoulders.<br />34 When she got out of the car, her skirt looked lined/crumpled.<br />35 Beauty is only skin/eye deep.<br />36 My father is a real gentleman but he's one of a dying kind/breed.<br />37 The politician came in for a shower/barrage of criticism when news of his actions<br />leaked out.<br />38 He was accused of corruption and although he protested his innocence, the mud<br />seemed to stick/land.<br />39 I made/had a go at bungee jumping but it wasn't exactly my thing!<br />40 The flowers smelt beautiful and their scent/stench perfumed the air.<br />41 When they heard the joke, the children started to giggle/grizzle happily.<br />42 Have you got a comb? My hair is really mucky/messy.<br />43 They shot the film in Ireland, whereby/thereby avoiding the problems associated<br />with filming in a hot climate.<br />44 The artist's work was praised for its subtle/meticulous attention to detail.<br />45 It was a pity that Jon took such insult/offence at my comments.<br />46 Sheila used to be a wonderful artist so it is a shame that she has ended up/turned out<br />in such a dead end job.<br />47 The company plan to make a sequel to the film, nevertheless/notwithstanding the<br />poor box office returns.<br />48 It was a touch/stroke of luck that Laura was available when one of the dancers<br />sprained her ankle.<br />49 The artist made a brief pencil sketch/blueprint of the man's face.<br />50 On the first day of rehearsals the conductor was determined to press/stamp his<br />authority on the proceedings.<br />51 It was something/somehow of a surprise when Amanda got the leading role.<br />52 When the star broke his leg they were confronted/affronted with the problem of how<br />to finish filming.<br />53 That school claims to give its pupils a thorough/sound grounding in the classics.<br />54 I'm going to study medicine, hoping/assuming I pass all my exams of course.<br />55 I believe the money wasted on teaching Latin should be used/put to better use.<br />56 An inspection of the school is long outstanding/overdue.<br />57 There aren't enough volunteers for the summer fair. Would you mind helping out/joining<br />up?<br />58 Please resist/refrain from running in the corridor; it is a danger to yourself and others.<br />59 I objected when my friends said we should play truant but they shouted/called me down.<br />60 His place at university is reliant on/dependent on his getting top grades in his final exams<br />61 Mrs Brown has promised to let us out early this afternoon. It's an incitement/incentive<br />to make us work harder.<br />62 There is very good provision/assistance for the disabled in the new school buildings.<br />63 My desk is cluttered/burdened with rubbish.<br />64 The company faces several problems, only/not the least of which is a lack of money.<br />65 There has been a lot of speculation/contemplation about the choice of a new director.<br />66 He's been working extremely hard so would find a holiday profitable/beneficial.<br />67 The factory was besieged with workers who had a hindrance/grievance against the<br />management.<br />68 Tom's new job does not really provide him with enough range/scope for his talents.<br />69 Should/Were the company to go bankrupt, the government would take it over.<br />70 A good salesman is always aware of the latest market trends/drifts.<br />71 Your CV should cover the bare bones/skin of what you have done - try not to give<br />too many irrelevant details.<br />72 Keep to the point when you write your job application and do not wobble/waffle.<br />73 Pilots do a great deal of their training in virtuous/virtual reality cockpits.<br />74 There is no harm/hurt in asking a professional to check over your CV before you<br />send it.<br />75 Your job application needs to stand up/out from the others.<br />76 The man managed to defraud/smuggle a large quantity of cigarettes through customs.<br />77 When the director started to speak, everybody lay/fell silent.<br />78 While they were working on the oil rig, the men were completely cut off/out from<br />their families.<br />79 The men came off/out on strike because one of their colleagues was sacked.<br />80 The boss refused to increase our salary and said we could take it or leave/let it.<br />81 The police eliminated/discarded the suspect from their enquiries.<br />82 In the early days of detection, the police had no resort/recourse to fingerprint<br />identification.<br />83 The murderer dispersed/disposed of the body by burying it in his back garden.<br />84 That young man is on the slippery lane/slope to becoming a criminal. He'll end<br />up in prison if he doesn't change his ways.<br />85 He's a refugee/fugitive from justice; police forces all over the world are searching<br />for him.<br />86 I haven't got the least/slightest clue what the detective was getting at.<br />87 The murderer was reprieved/liberated when the grounds on which he had been<br />convicted were found to be unsafe.<br />88 Police are trying to combat the crime tide/wave which has hit the country.<br />89 There was an outcry from human rights organisations when the man was<br />punished/sentenced to death.<br />90 The police are mounting/maintaining an inquiry into how the accident<br />occurred.<br />91 A man was seen hovering/loitering near the scene of the crime.<br />92 The man is accused/alleged to have committed the crime while under the<br />influence of drugs.<br />93 The police eliminated/discarded the suspect from their enquiries.<br />94 In the early days of detection, the police had no resort/recourse to fingerprint<br />identification.<br />95 At first the police thought the man's death was an accident but now they suspect<br />dirty/foul play.<br />96 The police caught up with the kidnappers and freed the hostage but it was a<br />near/close shave.<br />97 The detective's suggestion was just a shot/throw in the dark, but luckily, it was<br />right.<br />98 What the burglar told the policeman was a packet/pack of lies.<br />99 Losing my wallet that day was a present/blessing in disguise because when I went<br />to the police station to report it I met my future husband!<br />100 After the robbery, the thief tried to keep a low/slight profile.<br />101 At a round/rough guess, I would say that the criminals escaped with about<br />£10,000.<br />102 Alice's parents were worried about her but she arrived home safe and sound/whole.<br />103 By and wide/large, most people are law-abiding citizens.<br />104 A prisoner escaped from a top security jail and he's now on the run/go.<br />105 People who live in close vicinity/proximity to the nuclear plant are worried about its<br />effects on their health.<br />106 They may find a cure for the disease but the research is still in its childhood/<br />infancy.<br />107 In his excitement, the young researcher shrugged/threw caution to the winds and<br />published his findings without checking them.<br />108 John is a cut/point above the others at the laboratory when it comes to good<br />manners.<br />109 The Professor is there to overlook/oversee the progress of the research.<br />110 It is unfortunate that some scientists are totally impenetrable/impervious to criticism<br />and never listen to the general public.<br />111 I object on conscience/principle to any form of genetic engineering.<br />112 Having solved the first problem, the scientists set out/set about finding a way round<br />the next one.<br />113 My brother is an amateur mechanic and loves dabbling/tinkering with old engines.<br />114 Some of the researchers have now connected/allied themselves with those protesting<br />about experiments on primates.<br />115 She really tried/put my patience to the limits.<br />116 Old people sometimes try to cling/hang to the past.<br />117 My mother is a compulsive hoarder. She collects anything that comes to hand/grasp,<br />regardless of its worth.<br />118 I visited Barbara in prison and offered to help her but she seemed completely<br />indifferent/careless to her fate.<br />119 Jim found/felt it difficult to resist his daughter's beguiling smile.<br />120 He couldn't have had a fight; violence is quite opposed/foreign to his nature.<br />121 While we have no doubts about William's keenness, we do not believe he is<br />experienced/competent to lead the venture.<br />122 We'll wait until Mum is in the right set/frame of mind before we tell her our news.<br />123 Assuming/Considering so much money was spent on her education, Linda is rather a<br />disappointment.<br />124 Mr Hill hinted/suggested very strongly that he would withdraw Bill from the team if<br />his behaviour didn't improve.<br />125 I can't summon up/out any enthusiasm for going out jogging in the cold right now.<br />126 No one wanted the puppies so they were foisted on/over me!<br />127 I am loath/lithe to reveal the truth about what happened.<br />128 My flatmate has decided to go on/in a diet.<br />129 Some people are prone at/to obesity.<br />130 The slimming club blamed Paul's failure to lose weight in/on his lack of self-discipline.<br />131 Young men are under/on a great deal of pressure to look fit.<br />132 Don't worry. We'll soon get on/to the root of the trouble.<br />133 Carmen has come up on/with a great idea on how to lose weight.<br />134 I put up/on weight very quickly so I have to be extremely careful about what I eat.<br />135 Starting this new slimming programme is definitely a step at/in the right direction<br />for Jo.<br />136 Many people believe that the diet industry is a scam that relies in/on its clients'<br />gullibility.<br />137 In agreement/accordance with normal practice, the product will be tested before<br />it goes on sale.<br />138 We manufacture bending/folding chairs for the garden which can easily be stored<br />for the winter.<br />139 Sales drifted away/tapered off at the end of the year and have not picked up again<br />vet.<br />140 I bought this computer because I had confidence in the brand/mark name.<br />141 The firm will have to cease trading as there is no call/order for their product.<br />142 Our sales campaign is aimed at eighteen- to twenty-five year olds as they have<br />such huge spending force/power.<br />143 Orders reached a climax/peak in June but fell off very quickly after that.<br />144 Be careful with that superglue as it sets/thickens very quickly.<br />145 Politicians are usually deaf to everything apart/except/other than what they want to<br />hear.<br />146 The fact that laziness often runs in families supplies/lends/offers some plausibility to<br />the claims made by geneticists.<br />147 Don't let Matilda plead/protest/pretend illness as an excuse for not doing her homework.<br />148 There seems, for the time being at any chance/aspect/rate, little likelihood that a gene<br />for humour will be found.<br />149 People claim that our genes exert a powerful influence/attraction/control on our<br />character.<br />150 The new findings threw/drew/forced the work of the researchers into confusion.<br />151 Hotheads among the protesters stirred/incited/agitated others to acts of vandalism.<br />152 I found the claims made by the speaker absurd, but despite that I managed to<br />choke/suffocate/suppress my laughter and put on a straight face.<br />153 The producer was forced/driven to despair by the slow progress they were making.<br />154 Programme makers have not kept pace/step with new developments in forensic<br />science.<br />155 With forensic science, a clearer understanding of pre-history seems well within/inside<br />the bounds of possibility.<br />156 The investigations carried out on the programme were on a very small scale/plan.<br />157 The archaeologists were boosted/buoyed up by their success and decided to continue<br />excavating the site.<br />158 Paleontologists disagree about the extent to which meteorite impacts have affected<br />the output/outcome of our planet's development.<br />159 Cannibalism was relevant/prevalent in many ancient tribal societies.<br />160 Forensic science is becoming increasingly suffocated/sophisticated.<br />161 When it comes to investigating the past, historians borrow/lend heavily from police<br />forensics.<br />162 As illness took grip/hold, the Vikings were forced to retreat from the lands they had<br />invaded.<br /><br /></span><span><span><br /></span></span>Wojtekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00118240525803861208noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6935242063129568447.post-70720841478400127812009-04-22T23:11:00.002+02:002009-04-22T23:12:40.109+02:00CAE speaking practice<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">TASK 1<br /><br />Look at these various methods of learning and training and discuss<br />with your partner which you consider to be <span style="font-weight: bold;">the most</span> and <span style="font-weight: bold;">the least</span><br />effective ways of learning or training to do something.<br />Time: 3 minutes<br /><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/__KVxs1P086M/Se9_60h9vDI/AAAAAAAAB2o/YKP5nl_-UQc/%5BUNSET%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="max-width: 800px; width: 454px; height: 185px;" /><br /><br /><br />TASK 2<br /><br />These pictures were published many years ago. They show what people<br />thought life would be like In the future, i.e. our 'today' (or even 'yesterday'!),<br />and what it would be like in the more distant future. In pairs, taking each<br />picture in turn, decide when the pictures might have been published and how<br />they represent what people thought the future would be like.<br />Time: 3 minutes<br /><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/__KVxs1P086M/Se-CkCYm6CI/AAAAAAAAB2s/AKH-X1d_CN0/%5BUNSET%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="max-width: 800px; width: 507px; height: 307px;" /><br /><br /><br />TASK 3<br /><br />Funds are available to build a new national monument in your country to<br />commemorate a special occasion. Various suggestions for what kind of monument<br />it should be have been put forward. Decide with your partner what kind of monument<br />you would like to erect and where you would erect it. You can use the designs and<br />suggestions below to help you or you can suggest something different.<br />Time: 3 minutes<br /><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/__KVxs1P086M/Se-EhgqbPtI/AAAAAAAAB2w/j4BulKmPpTE/%5BUNSET%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="max-width: 800px; width: 472px; height: 540px;" /><br /><br /><br />TASK 4<br /><br />With your partner, look at the drawings and decide:<br />• what kind of competition this might be,<br />• what you have to do to win it.<br />• who it might be aimed at.<br />• what message the pictures are trying to put across,<br />• whether you think they are successful in getting their message across.<br />• whether you can spot the differences!<br /><br />Time: 3 minutes.<br /><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/__KVxs1P086M/Se-GNuG9MBI/AAAAAAAAB20/eBf6UE48FAk/%5BUNSET%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="max-width: 800px; width: 479px; height: 132px;" /><br /><br />TASK 5<br /><br />You live near a stadium which was built for the last Olympic Games.<br />Unfortunately it is losing money and in danger of being closed, unless it starts<br />making a profit. Plan a series of events to bring in the crowds. Remember, you<br />must raise as much money as possible. With your partner decide:<br /><br />• which three events suggested below would generate the biggest profits.<br />• which event you think would be the least popular.<br />• what you would charge for entry.<br />• what other entertainment or facilities you would provide, e.g. refreshments.<br />• what other activity you could suggest to raise money to save the stadium.<br />Time: 3 minutes<br /><br /><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/__KVxs1P086M/Se-HooWbOcI/AAAAAAAAB24/tZOiHwtA0Xw/%5BUNSET%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="max-width: 800px; width: 433px; height: 143px;" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="zemanta-pixie"><img src="http://img.zemanta.com/pixy.gif?x-id=8cb4735e-380f-8693-876f-a25176e29a10" class="zemanta-pixie-img" /></div></div>Wojtekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00118240525803861208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6935242063129568447.post-42999416131694850252009-04-22T22:05:00.003+02:002009-04-22T22:14:00.183+02:00CAE/CPE TRIOS 2<div align="left"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span><span>1 The aim of the campaign is to......................an end to poverty in our inner cities.<br />The purpose of using old films in the classroom is to........................history alive for<br />the students.<br />The new water pump will........................about a significant change in the lives of the<br />local villagers.<br /><br />2 There were scratches along both.................of my car when Julia returned it <br />to me.<br />My mother always......................with my brother whenever we have an argument.<br />The coach asked Ernesto to change................... so both groups had an equal <br />number of good players.<br /><br />3 The...........................of the painting is thought to be the artist's mother.<br />The festival organizers would like to point out that all times and dates of events are..........................to change.<br />Some politicians change the........................rather than answer a question theyfind awkward.<br /><br />4 It's dangerous to.....................lanes on the motorway without indicating first.<br />Although we flicked the.........................a number of times, the machine would not<br />work.<br />We will no longer be using the old accounting software after we...................over to<br />the new software next month.<br /><br />5 I came home to find my son ..................up bits of glass from the kitchen floor.<br />The holiday brochure showed majestic forests.........................over the mountains.<br />The new boss has promised there will be........................changes within our<br />department.<br /><br />6 The headmaster must take urgent.........................to stop the bullying that is<br />happening in this school.<br />I had to stop and rest before I climbed the final........................of the lighthouse.<br />If you get lost in the woods, you should retrace your......................and go back to<br />camp.<br /><br />7 The group believed the song ...............a good chance of being a hit but didn't<br />dream it would reach number 1.<br />Being the only child with an American accent, I.....................out amongst the other<br />children at school.<br />My parents.......................by me all the time I was in prison and did everything they<br />could to get me released.<br /><br />8 Would you...............for a cup of coffee while you're waiting to see Mr Williams?<br />Our society should take more.....................of the elderly and treat them with respect.<br />Martin doesn't seem to......................that his aggressive behaviour could get him into<br />trouble.<br /><br />9 Police now doubt that anyone will......................responsibility for the bomb that<br />exploded yesterday.<br />The old lady's ....................that she had seen a UFO was never taken seriously by<br />anyone.<br />If you have an accident and make a ......................., you will have to pay more for<br />future car insurance.<br /><br />10 Ministers have been told to wait until the Foreign Secretary...............a formal<br />statement before speaking to the press about the incident.<br />The subject of legalizing drugs is one of those controversial.....................which is<br />unlikely to be resolved soon.<br />In the next two.......................of the National Reporter we will be bringing you a<br />special report on the health care crisis.<br /><br />11 House prices .....................dramatically last year and they bought <br />themselves a small flat near the town centre.<br />I always thought that love at first sight only happened in films but I..............for it<br />the moment I set eyes on her.<br />He................out with his father after a blazing row and hasn't spoken to him since.<br /><br />12 The President highlighted the ...................relationship that existed between <br />the two countries, who, he said, were now 'the closest of allies'.<br />Relations with management have not improved and there's a...................chance the<br />unions will call a strike next week.<br />I never liked kissing my grandmother, because I couldn't stand the................<br />smell of her perfume.<br /><br />13 He had a friendly, open face and she..................an instant liking to him.<br />In appearance Emily..................after her father, but she inherited her intelligence from<br />her mother.<br />It.....................some time to sort out our marriage problems, but now our relationship is<br />pretty good.<br />14 They've had a.............of disagreements recently, but normally they get on fine<br />together.<br />Can you reverse the car a little more so we can...................it to the caravan?<br />The whole restaurant had been booked by a middle-aged married ...................<br />celebrating their silver wedding anniversary.<br /><br />15 His latest novel centres on the uneasy relationship between the two countries <br />at the......................of the last century.<br />The last person I expected to.......................up at our wedding was my ex-boyfriend!<br />I usually...................to my mother for help or advice: she's a better listener than my<br />father.<br /><br />16 I know that Simon meant................when he corrected my pronunciation, but I<br />thought it was rude rather than helpful.<br />She is........................aware of the risks involved in bungee jumping, but that's not<br />going to stop her doing it.<br />Andreas did exceptionally.......................in his test, meaning that he qualifies for a<br />scholarship.<br /><br />17 I hope to...................this company as well as my father has for the last <br />twenty years.<br />This popular soap opera is shown in 20 countries and has...................for over<br />15 years.<br />The man arrested for the murder escaped from the police and is still on the ............... .<br /> .<br />18 It struck me as....................the way that Andrew never spoke about his past.<br />All the houses with.......................numbers are on the other side of the road.<br />In the twenty years I've been living here we've always had good...................neighbours.<br /><br />19 Some critics of the Internet accuse it of being a..............for corporate advertising.<br />The old lady claimed to be a......................who could communicate with the dead.<br />The thief is described as being of .................. height and has several tattoos on his<br />neck.<br /><br />20 He took a week off work with the express....................... of finding a new job.<br />I'm sure Tony deleted my file on ...................., although he says it was an accident.<br />I don't mind living at home for now as it suits my........................of saving money.<br /><br />21 The guidebook is.................with many useful maps and lists of cheap places to<br />stay.<br />Each team had to.........................their task within 30 minutes to stay in the<br />competition.<br />It took me ages to.........................the forms I needed for my visa.<br /><br />22 New Zealand was the first country in the world to give women the.................<br />to vote.<br />That car has parked...................behind you so be careful when you reverse.<br />I don't think that finishing a relationship by text message is the..................way to<br />do it.<br /><br />23 I last saw Marta getting on a ship that was........................for Spain.<br />Knowing John, he's.....................to be late for the meeting.<br />The bank robbers had.......................the hostages together with rope.<br /><br />24 Could you.................me how to use this photocopier if you have time today?<br />All this rain we're having just goes to ....................that climate change is really<br />happening.<br />If we wait a bit longer, I'm sure Yuri will...................up eventually with another<br />excuse for being late.<br /><br />25 If you want to...............the flight, you won't have time to check your luggage in.<br />I'm afraid we don't have any replacement parts for this.........................of camera.<br />Listening to love songs after a break-up tends to.......................me depressed.<br /><br />26 Dangerous drivers do not have the slightest ...................for anyone <br />else on the road.<br />Some of our staff have expressed....................over the poor lighting in the office.<br />My personal life doesn't...................you so please stop asking me about it.<br /><br />27 Explaining why the soldiers were sent in so quickly, an army spokesman said that<br />the situation had.......................for immediate action.<br />The police were.........................to deal with the fight but no arrests were made.<br />The performance had to be.......................off after fire destroyed the stage.<br /><br />28 Jenny's boss asked her to give the team a brief..................of what she'd seen <br />at the exhibition.<br />When booking your holiday, please take into .....................the fact that cancellations<br />are charged at 10%.<br />Do not leave your company laptop in your car on any....................... .<br /><br />29 Our charity raises money for the homeless and for people in.....................in the<br />inner city.<br />People................... to be made aware of the additives that certain food contains.<br />We have no.....................of these toys now that our children have grown up.<br /><br />30 The restaurant was once famous for its.....................food and wine before <br />it started serving burgers.<br />We walked on through the........................ rain, slowly but surely becoming soaking wet.<br />Despite his long flight, Eric said he felt.........................and would be present at the<br />meeting.<br /><br />31 Emma likes to..................attention to herself by changing her hair colour<br />every week.<br />The aim of the report is to.......................a comparison between the effects of<br />poverty on children living in rural and urban areas.<br />I heard the taxi........................up outside my house and knew my father had<br />come home at last.<br />32 I really dislike the way that our manager is always taking.....................for<br />everyone else's hard work.<br />I am still waiting for the bank to........................my account for the fees they<br />overcharged me.<br />Once I finish this course, it will count as one ....................towards my degree.<br /><br />33 Half the staff in our office have..................down with flu so the rest of us<br />are doing overtime.<br />Her style of writing means that her characters.........................to life on the very<br />first page.<br />For teenagers buying clothes, style tends to..................before comfort.<br /><br />34 Paul is still upset about losing his job so you'll need to......................the<br />subject carefully.<br />The government needs a new.....................to tackling gun crime as their<br />current policy isn't working.<br />With the...........................of summer, I noticed the mornings grow lighter and<br />my mood change for the better.<br /><br />35 If I've read the map correctly, this road should..................us back to town.<br />Akiko is auditioning to play one of the......................roles in this year's<br />production of Romeo and Juliet.<br />If you're not sure about table manners in other countries, just follow your host's<br />.....................and you won't cause offence.<br /><br />36 Don't show that huge spider to Miranda or you'll probably.....................<br />her to death!<br />The rise in violent crime in our capital is likely to.......................away tourists.<br />There was another bomb..................in the business district yesterday and we all<br />had to leave our offices.<br /><br />37 Their new...................of clothing is meant to appeal to a younger<br /> target group.<br />There was no point in shooting at the wolf as it was already out of................... .<br />Prices at the store..................from the easily affordable to the extremely <br />expensive.<br /><br />38 Many children....................hungry when their family is affected by<br /> long-term unemployment.<br />I've been in the same kind of job for years and I'd like to have a...................at<br />something new.<br />That beef will quickly...................off in this heat unless you put it in the fridge.<br /><br />39 Please........................this email to anyone in the department who<br /> would benefit from a training weekend.<br />Let's sit further.......................so we can get a better view of the play.<br />A bit more...................planning would have prevented our staffing problem.<br /><br />40 Could you...................for me and answer the phone while I'm out of <br />the office?<br />The book has an unimaginative....................which does not make you want <br />to pick it up.<br />The detectives were working under.....................to expose the gang leader.</span></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span><span><br /><br /></span></span></span><br /></div>Wojtekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00118240525803861208noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6935242063129568447.post-20354115107397431182009-04-20T14:59:00.004+02:002009-05-30T22:34:41.186+02:00<strong><br /></strong>Wojtekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00118240525803861208noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6935242063129568447.post-17919558966459265632009-04-20T00:37:00.001+02:002009-04-20T00:43:38.811+02:00FCE open cloze practice 1<strong>Stormy waters</strong><br />My elder sister, (0) ……… has done a lot of travelling, had<br />advised me not to go (1) ……… ship in February, but of course<br />I hadn’t paid (2) ……… attention to what she said. I hadn’t<br />taken any notice, (3)……… , of the warning from the<br />passengers coming off the ship, who said (4) ……… had been<br />the worst voyage they had (5) ……… experienced.<br />The water in the harbour looked calm enough, and the ship<br />was big and solid, so I decided not (6) ……… take any anti-<br />seasickness pills. As (7) ……… as I was on board I began (8)<br />……… a huge meal, which I finished just (9) ……… we came<br />out of the harbour and into the ocean. Immediately we were hit<br />by enormous waves, (10) ……… threw the ship around in the<br />water as if it were a toy boat in the bath.<br /><br /><br /><strong>Oil threat to Ice Age world</strong><br />An area of the North Atlantic has not changed (0) .......... the last Ice Age,<br />according (1) .......... scientists. They have found that (2) .......... temperature of<br />deep water near the Shetland Islands always remains a little below zero degrees.<br />In (3) .......... of the intense cold, the water never freezes because it is extremely<br />salty, and it is inhabited (4) .......... giant sea spiders.<br />The discovery was made by a team of scientists studying the ocean floor at depths of (5) .......... a mile. They also found deep marks in the seabed at a depth of around 350 metres, which they say must (6) .......... been caused by icebergs that had broken away from Scotland during the Ice Age.<br /><p>What worries environmentalists, however, is that (7) .......... area lies near a place of rich oil deposits. Organizations such as Greenpeace fear that it is only a (8) .......... of time before multinational oil companies start exploring this permanently sub-zero world. (9) .......... that happens, they warn, it will not be (10) .......... before oil slicks harm an environment that has lain untouched for thousands of years.<br /></p><br /><strong>Lost and Found</strong><br />My father considered 0 ……….. to be a lucky man. He wasn’t rich or<br />famous, but he was lucky 1 …………………. he lost anything, he was usually<br />2 ………… to find it again 3 …………… such example was a<br />fountain pen, a present from my mother on 4 …………. wedding<br />anniversary. We had had a family day out in the mountains. My brother,<br />5………………was about ten years old at the time, and I enjoyed going to<br />a lake where you could hire a boat and row out across the water.<br />6…………… had once been a village in the valley, but the valley had<br />been flooded in order 7……………. create a reservoir for a city many<br />miles away. When the water was clear, you could still make out the top of the<br />church spire and the walls of houses 8 ……………. we were returning<br />home that night, my father discovered that he had lost his treasured fountain<br />pen. About two weeks later, he announced that in spite 9 …………… the<br />gloomy weather, we were going back to the lake for the day. We were surprised,<br />but said nothing. We set 10…………… about nine in the morning, and<br />as 11…………… as we arrived at the lake, we headed<br />12 ………………..the spot where we had had our picnic on the previous<br />occasion. As we were deciding whether to hire a boat for the afternoon or<br />13…………… , my father gave a shout. There, lying on the ground, was<br />a pen. There was 14……………. doubt at all in my mind that<br />15……………. was the pen he had lost two weeks beforehand.<br /><br /><strong>Sponsored walk</strong><br />Have you ever 0 …………… on a sponsored walk? I went on<br />1……………when I was about eleven years old. Our teacher came up<br />2………………the idea. We would donate any money we raised to a local<br />charity and have a day out at the same time. I didn’t really understand what<br />3………………..involved in a sponsored walk, but that didn’t make<br />4………………. difference to me. It just seemed an exciting thing to do, and<br />we set 5………………… on our journey with enthusiasm. But the walk<br />turned out to be even 6……………….. exciting than I had expected.<br />7………………I didn’t realise was that it consisted of walking two miles to<br />a small island 8………………. only means of access was across a causeway.<br />The island, 9………………. is situated off the north-east coast of Britain, is a<br />place of outstanding natural beauty, but very remote. The first problem we<br />came up 10………………….. was the sand. We had to put<br />11…………… with it blowing in our faces and on our legs as we<br />struggled across the causeway. Added to that, we knew that<br />12…………. we did not return to the mainland in time, we would be<br />cut 13…………… by the incoming tide, and would have to spend the night there! Well, we made it, and even managed to have a picnic there before it was time to make our way back. You can imagine our relief when we arrived on the mainland exhausted, but home 14……………….. dry. I must admit that I haven’t done a sponsored walk 15……………… I went to the island. But who knows? One day I might do one again.<br /><br /><strong>Holiday cancellation</strong><br />There is nothing worse 0 …………… having a holiday cancelled.<br />Despite the fact that the government has brought 1 ………….. new<br />legislation to protect holiday-makers financially, it’s the disappointment which<br />is hard to bear. In most cases, some form of compensation<br />2………………..offered, but often the alternatives are nowhere near<br />3……………..exciting as the original destination. On second thoughts,<br />perhaps 4 …………….. is something which is 5 …………….. little<br />worse than a cancelled holiday, and 6 ……………. is being stranded at<br />your holiday destination when a company goes bankrupt. In circumstances<br />like these, many people wish they 7…………… never gone on holiday<br />at all, and may think twice about going again. ‘If we’d known that this was<br />going to happen, we 8……………….. never have considered spending so<br />much money on a holiday.’ ‘9 ……………….. only we’d booked with<br />someone else!’ they grumble to their friends when they get back home. Their<br />friends try to change 10 …………….. subject, but quickly realise that<br />the disappointed holiday makers are determined to have their say. It seems<br />useless to point out that the main reason 11 ……………… having a<br />holiday is to return home relaxed and stress-free. If the experience turns out<br />to be even more stressful than normal everyday life, putting pressure<br />12…………….. the holiday-maker, then surely it is<br />13…………………. something to be repeated. Perhaps the best advice for<br />those 14……………….. feel that they are not cut 15…………………. for<br />stressful holiday experiences is simply to stay at home!Wojtekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00118240525803861208noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6935242063129568447.post-77186606407430122532009-04-15T23:52:00.002+02:002009-04-15T23:54:06.957+02:00WHAT'S MOST IMPORTANT IN A PARAGRAPH?<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><div style="text-align: center;"><big style="font-weight: bold;"><big>Finding Main Ideas in Paragraphs<br /><br /></big></big><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">You can find the main ideas by looking at the way in which paragraphs are written:<br /></div><br />A paragraph is a group of sentences about one main idea. Paragraphs usually have 2 types of sentences:<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">- a topic sentence, which contains the main idea, and</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">- one or more detail sentences which support, prove, provide more information, explain, or give examples. </span><br /><br /><br />You can only tell if you have a detail or topic sentence by comparing the sentences with each other. The only exception to this is if there is only one sentence in the paragraph. Then the one sentence is the topic sentence.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Look at this example paragraph:<br /></div><br />There are many uses for this great product. ---<span style="font-weight: bold;">TOPIC SENTENCE</span><br />Some mix it with chocolate to make cake icing. --<span style="font-weight: bold;">DETAIL SENTENCE</span><br />It is the main ingredient in some milkshake mixes. --<span style="font-weight: bold;">DETAIL SENTENCE </span><br />It will also kill rats in small amounts. --<span style="font-weight: bold;">DETAIL SENTENCE</span><br /><br />The first sentence introduces the main idea and the other sentences support and give the many uses for the product.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><big><big><span style="font-weight: bold;">Rules for Finding the Topic Sentence</span></big></big><br /><br /></div><br />1. The topic sentence is usually first, but could be in any position in the paragraph.<br />2. A topic is usually more "general" than the other sentences, that is, it talks about many things and looks at the big picture. Sometimes it refers to more that one thing. Plurals and the words "many", "numerous", or "several" often signal a topic sentence.<br />3. Detail sentences are usually more "specific" than the topic, that is, they usually talk about one single or small part or side of an idea. Also, the words "for example", "i.e.", "that is", "first", "second", "third", etc., and "finally" often signal a detail.<br />4. Most of the detail sentences support, give examples, prove, talk about, or point toward the topic in some way.<br />How can you be sure that you have a topic sentence? Try this trick:<br />---Switch the sentence around into a question. If the other sentences seem to "answer" the question, then you've got it.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Try to find the topic sentence in the following texts:</span><br /></div><br />There is a lot of work involved in fixing bicycles. First, it is necessary for one to become familiar with the structure and parts of the vehicle. Second, one must have the correct tools to make the necessary repairs. Third, the person making the repairs must prepare him or herself to put a lot of time and effort into the job and only expect minimal results at the end.<br /><br /><br /><br />For years I have struggled with my writing skills. My inability to master correct grammar as well as my struggle to formulate coherent ideas have made my compositions very dull and ineffective. This year, however, I decided to visit the Writing Center to help improve my skills. I found, to my surprise, that the real key to writing a good paper is to have a passion for the things about which you are writing. When a person becomes interested in his or her subject of composition, he or she will make a better attempt at organizing ideas and giving them a strong coherence.<br /><br /><br /><br />My grandfather contracted lung cancer a few months ago. The doctors now say that he only has a few weeks to live. My family's situation is not unique. Millions of Americans are going through a similar experience. At least three members of every extended family will contract terminal disease before the age of sixty. At least one out of every three nuclear families will have a member who will die of cancer before the age of fifty. From these statistics and from personal experience it is evident that no one is unaffected by cancer.<br /><br /><br /><div class="zemanta-pixie"><img src="http://img.zemanta.com/pixy.gif?x-id=2e4babe3-e259-8636-ac29-f61a2f83b3a9" class="zemanta-pixie-img" /></div></div>Wojtekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00118240525803861208noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6935242063129568447.post-34615406619292876292009-04-15T23:33:00.002+02:002009-04-15T23:34:47.636+02:00HAVE FUN WITH VOCABULARY<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Explain the meaning of these nouns that are used as verbs:</span><br /><br />1. to buttonhole someone<br />2. to table an amendment<br />3. to bed down for the night (colloquial)<br />4. to axe expenditure<br />5. to mirror public opinion<br />6. to mouth one's words<br />7. to ferret something out<br />8. to toe the line<br />9. to skewer a fish<br />10. to tax someone's patience<br />11. to pot a plant<br />12. to elbow one's pay through the crowd<br />13. to inch one's way along<br />14. to corner someone<br />15. to foot the bill<br />16. It preys on my mind<br />17. to fork out (colloquial)<br />18. to line a coat<br />19. to fox someone (colloquial)<br />20. to lace one's tea with whiskey<br />21. to floor someone in an argument (colloquial)<br />22. to corner the market<br />23. to thumb a lift (colloquial)<br />24. to shoulder responsibility<br />25. to tiptoe in<br />26. to man a ship<br />27.. to board up a window<br />28. to sponge on someone (colloquial)<br />29. to house the survivors<br />30. to referee a match<br />31. to vacuum the carpet<br />32. to coat something with varnish<br />33. to ship goods abroad<br />34. to outline government policy<br />35. to cotton on (colloquial)<br />36. to head for somewhere<br />37. to dwarf something<br />38. to dog someone's footsteps<br />39. to peter out<br />40. to guy something (colloquial)<br />41. to map out a holiday<br />42. to egg someone on (colloquial)<br />43. to leaf about (colloquial)<br />44. to beard the lion in his den<br />45. to cash in on something<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Find out the meaning of and create sentences of your own with:</span><br /><br />1. bits and pieces <br />2. cut and dried <br />3. house and home<br />4. pure and simple <br />5. wind and weather <br />6. far and wide<br />7. dead and buried <br />8. fat and furious <br />9. odds and ends<br />10. out-and-out - <br />11. rough and ready <br />12. all and sundry<br />13. high and dry <br />14. by and by <br />15. spick and span<br />16. hard and fast <br />17. free and easy <br />18. flesh and blood<br />19. few and far between<br />20. song and dance <br />21. might and main<br />22. wear and tear <br />23. the rank and file <br />24. meek and mild<br />25. now and then<br />26. cock and bull <br />27. stuff and nonsense <br />28. heart and soul<br />29. off and on <br />30. so-and-so <br />31. skimp and scrape<br />32. pros and cons <br />33. sick and tired of <br />34. down-and-out<br />35. give-and-take <br />36. up and about <br />37. once and for all<br />38. up-and-coming <br />39. over and done with <br />40. dead and alive<br />41. high and mighty <br />42. by and large <br />43. rack and ruin<br />44. a free-for-all <br />45. head over heels <br />46. there and then<br />47. life and soul of <br />48. far and away <br />49. long and short<br />50. touch and go<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Explain the difference in meaning between: </span><br /><br />1. to do time (colloquial)<br />to make time<br />to mark time<br />to beat time<br />to kill time<br /><br />2. I gave him an example.<br />I set him an example.<br />I held him up as an example.<br />I made an example of him.<br />I pointed to him as an example.<br /><br />3. She swept out the room.<br />She swept out of the room.<br /><br />4. He's mad to buy it.<br />He's mad about buying it.<br /><br />5. to swear at someone<br />to swear by someone<br />to swear someone in<br /><br />6. It is in the north-west of London.<br />It is to the north-west of London.<br /><br />7. matters of moment<br />matters of the moment<br /><br />8. to take place<br />to take one's place<br /><br />9. to go on a walk<br />to go for a walk<br />to take a walk<br />to go on foot<br /><br />10. I haven't time to answer questions.<br />I don't have time to answer questions.<br /><br />11. It is time to go to bed.<br />There is time to go to bed.<br /><br />12. I don't think much of Shakespeare<br />I don't think much about Shakespeare.<br /><br />13. out of work<br />out of order<br /><br />14. long-sighted<br />far-sighted<br /><br />15. There is nothing to do.<br />There is nothing to be done.<br /><br />16. to set fire to something<br />to light a fire<br />to put on a fire<br /><br />17. He is good to do that.<br />He is good at doing that.<br /><br />18. Only I spoke to his sister.<br />I only spoke to his sister.<br />I spoke only to his sister.<br />I spoke to his only sister.<br /><br />19. to attend a lecture<br />to attend to a lecture.<br /><br />20. He stooped to do it.<br />He stooped to doing it.<br />He stopped to do it.<br />He stopped doing it.<br /><br />21. to do work<br />to make work<br />to make it do<br />to make it work<br /><br />22. to overhear a conversation<br />to eavesdrop on a conversation<br /><br />23. to do good<br />to make good<br />to make good a loss<br /><br />24. He is sure to pass the examination.<br />He is sure of passing the examination.<br /><br />25. He used to teach English.<br />He is used to teaching English.<br /><br />26. to make a fuss of<br />to make a fuss about<br /><br />27. I am not afraid.<br />I am afraid not.<br /><br />28. He dared to ask for a rise.<br />He dared me to ask for a rise.<br /><br />29. in short<br />shortly<br /><br />30. to do someone justice<br />to administer justice<br />to do justice to a meal<br /><br />31. I would have liked to do it.<br />I would like to have done it.<br /><br />32. He doesn't care to spend money on it.<br />He doesn’t care about spending money on it.<br /><br />33. The Prime Minister you met last Saturday is a fool.<br />The Prime Minister, whom you met last Saturday, is a fool.<br /><br />34. to look up at someone<br />to look up to someone<br />to look someone up<br />to look upon someone as . . .<br /><br />35. He swore to do it.<br />He swore to doing it.<br /><br />36. I had no sooner married her than ...<br />I had sooner not marry her.<br /><br />37. You are right to think that. .<br />You are right in thinking that.<br /><br />38. to do some repairs<br />to make reparation<br /><br />39. I haven't had time to do it this morning.<br />I didn't have time to do it this morning.<br /><br />40. to give way<br />to give someone away<br />to give away someone<br />to give way to someone<br /><br />41. They went to see the nurse's home.<br />They went to see the nurses' home.<br />They went to see the nurses home.<br /><br />42. He tried lighting the fire with paraffin.<br />He tried to light the fire with parafin.<br /><br />43. My flat has a southern aspect.<br />My flat has a southern appearance.<br /><br />44. The people who were in the street were excited.<br />The people, who were in the street, were excited.<br /><br />45. I propose to go to the cinema.<br />I propose going to the cinema.<br /><br />46. to make the best of something<br />to make the most of something<br /><br />47. to believe someone<br />to believe in someone<br /><br />48. How clever you are at doing it!<br />How clever you are to do it!<br /><br />49. I left them to play cards and went home.<br />I left them playing cards and went home.<br /><br />50. to hold a conversation<br />to make conversation<br /><br />51. I would not dream of it.<br />I would not dream about it.<br /><br />52. to be on the go<br />to be in the swim<br />to be on the run<br />to be in the running<br /><br />53. to go together<br />to get on together<br /><br />54. to care for<br />to take care of<br />to look after<br />to be careful of<br /><br />55. to beat someone<br />to beat someone up<br /><br />56. He likes her more than I.<br />He likes her more than me.<br /><br /><br />Explain the difference between:<br /><br />1. a furniture van<br />a van of furniture<br /><br />2. a good business deal<br />a good deal of business<br /><br />3. Parliament building<br />the building of Parliament<br /><br />4. a horserace<br />a race-horse<br /><br />5. shipshape<br />the shape of a ship<br /><br />6. a pay-day<br />a day's pay<br /><br />7. plate glass<br />a glass plate<br /><br />8. a workhouse<br />house work<br /><br />9. daytime<br />a day's time<br /><br />10. a cargo boat<br />a boat’s cargo<br /><br />11. an eye-glass<br />a glass eye<br /><br />12. a shipwreck<br />the wreck of a ship<br /><br />13. a square foot<br />a foot square<br /><br />14. a book-end<br />the end of the book<br /><br />15. a paper-weight<br />the weight of paper<br /><br />16. a lamp standard<br />a standard lamp<br /><br />17. a boat-house<br />a houseboat<br /><br />18 the rush-hour<br />an hour's rush<br /><br />19. a sports field<br />field sports<br /><br />20. a back seat<br />a seat back<br /><br /><br /><div class="zemanta-pixie"><img src="http://img.zemanta.com/pixy.gif?x-id=0437a669-6ac9-8eca-b45e-1e88acfb1976" class="zemanta-pixie-img" /></div></div>Wojtekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00118240525803861208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6935242063129568447.post-77409005879348913792009-04-14T22:04:00.004+02:002009-05-30T22:46:45.032+02:00CAE speaking practice part 2 set 2<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">This article is authored by Peter Travis and is copyright of <a href="http://www.splendid-speaking.com/index.html">Splendid Speaking 2009</a>.<br />Candidate A:<br />I'd like you to compare and contrast two or three of these situations, saying what significance the pieces of paper may have, and how the people might be feeling. (1 minute)<br /><br /><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/__KVxs1P086M/SeTr62f5MYI/AAAAAAAABxo/H1QTxJYsINU/%5BUNSET%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="max-width: 800px;" /><br /><br />Candidate B:<br />Which pieces of paper do you think look the most important? (20 seconds)<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="zemanta-pixie"><img src="http://img.zemanta.com/pixy.gif?x-id=10744125-e075-884d-bb31-fe1342425b4b" class="zemanta-pixie-img" /></div></div>Wojtekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00118240525803861208noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6935242063129568447.post-74105784336776564512009-04-14T21:48:00.002+02:002009-04-14T21:49:22.827+02:00CAE speaking practice part 2 set 1<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Candidate A:<br />I'd like you to compare and contrast two or three of these groups of people, saying what responsibilities the members have as a group, and how they might depend on each other. (1 minute)<br /><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/__KVxs1P086M/SeTnyrzngDI/AAAAAAAABxk/j7gHxfwh55A/%5BUNSET%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="max-width: 800px; width: 738px; height: 411px;" /><br />Candidate B:<br />Which group do you think would be the most interesting to belong to? (20 seconds)<br /><br /><div class="zemanta-pixie"><img src="http://img.zemanta.com/pixy.gif?x-id=35219363-9e1c-8243-b877-9055c811fe94" class="zemanta-pixie-img" /></div></div>Wojtekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00118240525803861208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6935242063129568447.post-10684572398635854182009-04-14T16:25:00.011+02:002009-04-14T18:20:53.362+02:00CAE Paper 5 Speaking (from December 2008) overview• The standard format for the updated CAE is two candidates and two examiners.<br />One examiner, the interlocutor, interacts with the candidates as well as<br />assessing the interaction. The other examiner, the main assessor, does not<br />join in the interaction.<br />• The Speaking test consists of four parts and lasts 15 minutes for a pair of candidates.<br />• The test aims to assess the candidates’ ability to produce spoken English in a variety of tasks.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">PART 1 INTERVIEW - 3 MINUTES</span><br /><br />The interlocutor asks each candidate a series of questions by addressing one question to Candidate A, then the same or a different question to Candidate B.<br />The questions relate to the candidates’ own lives and focus on areas<br />such as work, leisure time and future plans. The questions are designed<br />to elicit a range of tenses.<br />The focus of this part of the test is on general interactional and social language<br />arising out of the conversation between the interlocutor and each candidate.<br />This short social exchange is a natural way to begin an interaction, and it gives<br />candidates time to settle before dealing with the more specific tasks in Parts 2, 3 and 4.<br /><br />Some typical questions include:<br /><br /><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0cm; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none; text-autospace:none; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:612.0pt 792.0pt; margin:70.85pt 70.85pt 70.85pt 70.85pt; mso-header-margin:36.0pt; mso-footer-margin:36.0pt; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} /* List Definitions */ @list l0 {mso-list-id:-2; mso-list-type:simple; mso-list-template-ids:983985830;} @list l0:level1 {mso-level-start-at:0; mso-level-number-format:bullet; mso-level-text:*; mso-level-tab-stop:none; mso-level-number-position:left; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:0cm;} @list l0:level1 lfo1 {mso-level-start-at:65535; mso-level-numbering:continue; mso-level-text:•; mso-level-tab-stop:none; mso-level-number-position:left; mso-level-legacy:yes; mso-level-legacy-indent:11.5pt; mso-level-legacy-space:0cm; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:0cm; font-family:"Times New Roman";} ol {margin-bottom:0cm;} ul {margin-bottom:0cm;} --> </style><br /><span style=";font-size:11;color:black;" ><span style="">•<span style=""> </span></span></span><span style=";font-size:11;color:black;" >Where are you from?</span><br /><span style=";font-size:11;color:black;" ><span style="">•<span style=""> </span></span></span><span style=";font-size:11;color:black;" >What do you do here/there?</span><br /><span style=";font-size:11;color:black;" ><span style="">•<span style=""> </span></span></span><span style=";font-size:11;color:black;" >How long have you been studying English?</span><br /><span style=";font-size:11;color:black;" ><span style="">•<span style=""> </span></span></span><span style=";font-size:11;color:black;" >What do you enjoy most about learning English?</span><br /><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0cm; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none; text-autospace:none; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:612.0pt 792.0pt; margin:70.85pt 70.85pt 70.85pt 70.85pt; mso-header-margin:36.0pt; mso-footer-margin:36.0pt; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} /* List Definitions */ @list l0 {mso-list-id:-2; mso-list-type:simple; mso-list-template-ids:983985830;} @list l0:level1 {mso-level-start-at:0; mso-level-number-format:bullet; mso-level-text:*; mso-level-tab-stop:none; mso-level-number-position:left; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:0cm;} @list l0:level1 lfo1 {mso-level-start-at:65535; mso-level-numbering:continue; mso-level-text:•; mso-level-tab-stop:none; mso-level-number-position:left; mso-level-legacy:yes; mso-level-legacy-indent:11.5pt; mso-level-legacy-space:0cm; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:0cm; font-family:"Times New Roman";} ol {margin-bottom:0cm;} ul {margin-bottom:0cm;} --> </style> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5.4pt 0cm 0.0001pt 73.45pt; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><b><span style="letter-spacing: -0.4pt;color:black;" >Learning</span></b></span></p> <span style=";font-size:11;color:black;" >•<span style=""> </span>Do<b> </b>you prefer studying on your own or with other people? (Why?)</span><br /><span style=";font-size:11;color:black;" >•<span style=""> </span>How important have teachers been in your life so far?</span> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5.75pt 0cm 0.0001pt 73.45pt; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;"><b><span style="letter-spacing: -0.35pt;font-size:11;color:black;" >Places</span></b></p> <span style=";font-size:11;color:black;" ><span style="">•<span style=""> </span></span></span><span style=";font-size:11;color:black;" >What is the most memorable place you have ever visited?</span><br /><span style=";font-size:11;color:black;" ><span style="">•<span style=""> </span></span></span><span style=";font-size:11;color:black;" >Which is the most important room in your house? (Why is that?)</span> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5.05pt 0cm 0.0001pt 73.8pt; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;"><b><span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;font-size:11;color:black;" >Health and </span></b><span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt; font-weight: bold;font-size:11;color:black;" >fitness</span></p> <span style=";font-size:11;color:black;" ><span style="">•<span style=""> </span></span></span><span style=";font-size:11;color:black;" >What do you do to keep fit?</span><br /><span style=";font-size:11;color:black;" ><span style="">•<span style=""> </span></span></span><span style=";font-size:11;color:black;" >If you had the opportunity to learn a new sport, what would it be? (Why?)<br /></span><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0cm; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none; text-autospace:none; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:612.0pt 792.0pt; margin:70.85pt 70.85pt 70.85pt 70.85pt; mso-header-margin:36.0pt; mso-footer-margin:36.0pt; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} /* List Definitions */ @list l0 {mso-list-id:-2; mso-list-type:simple; mso-list-template-ids:983985830;} @list l0:level1 {mso-level-start-at:0; mso-level-number-format:bullet; mso-level-text:*; mso-level-tab-stop:none; mso-level-number-position:left; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:0cm;} @list l0:level1 lfo1 {mso-level-start-at:65535; mso-level-numbering:continue; mso-level-text:•; mso-level-tab-stop:none; mso-level-number-position:left; mso-level-legacy:yes; mso-level-legacy-indent:11.15pt; mso-level-legacy-space:0cm; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:0cm; font-family:"Times New Roman";} ol {margin-bottom:0cm;} ul {margin-bottom:0cm;} --> </style> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 3.95pt 0cm 0.0001pt 72.7pt; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;"><b><span style="letter-spacing: -0.5pt;font-size:12;color:black;" >Daily life</span></b></p> <span style=";font-size:12;color:black;" ><span style="">•<span style=""> </span></span></span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;font-size:12;color:black;" >How </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;font-size:12;color:black;" >important is the computer in your daily life?</span><br /><span style=";font-size:12;color:black;" ><span style="">•<span style=""> </span></span></span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.4pt;font-size:12;color:black;" >Is it easy for you to find time to relax every day? (Why? / Why </span><span style=";font-size:12;color:black;" >not?)</span> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 3.95pt 0cm 0.0001pt 72.7pt; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;"><b><span style="letter-spacing: -0.9pt;font-size:12;color:black;" >Friends</span></b></p> <span style=";font-size:12;color:black;" ><span style="">•<span style=""> </span></span></span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.35pt;font-size:12;color:black;" >Do you and your friends share the same interests? (Is this a good </span><span style=";font-size:12;color:black;" >thing?)</span><br /><span style=";font-size:12;color:black;" ><span style="">•<span style=""> </span></span></span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.3pt;font-size:12;color:black;" >Do you think you will still have the same friends in ten years' </span><span style=";font-size:12;color:black;" >time?</span> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 4.3pt 0cm 0.0001pt 72.7pt; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;"><b><span style="letter-spacing: -0.65pt;font-size:12;color:black;" >The future</span></b></p> <span style=";font-size:12;color:black;" ><span style="">•<span style=""> </span></span></span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.3pt;font-size:12;color:black;" >What do you think you will be doing in five years' time?</span><br /><span style=";font-size:12;color:black;" ><span style="">•<span style=""> </span></span></span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.3pt;font-size:12;color:black;" >Are you excited or worried about the future? (Why?)</span><br /><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0cm; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none; text-autospace:none; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:612.0pt 792.0pt; margin:70.85pt 70.85pt 70.85pt 70.85pt; mso-header-margin:36.0pt; mso-footer-margin:36.0pt; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} /* List Definitions */ @list l0 {mso-list-id:-2; mso-list-type:simple; mso-list-template-ids:983985830;} @list l0:level1 {mso-level-start-at:0; mso-level-number-format:bullet; mso-level-text:*; mso-level-tab-stop:none; mso-level-number-position:left; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:0cm;} @list l0:level1 lfo1 {mso-level-start-at:65535; mso-level-numbering:continue; mso-level-text:•; mso-level-tab-stop:none; mso-level-number-position:left; mso-level-legacy:yes; mso-level-legacy-indent:11.5pt; mso-level-legacy-space:0cm; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:0cm; font-family:"Times New Roman";} ol {margin-bottom:0cm;} ul {margin-bottom:0cm;} --> </style> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5.05pt 0cm 0.0001pt 73.1pt; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; font-weight: bold;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;font-size:11;color:black;" >Leisure</span></p> <span style=";font-size:11;color:black;" ><span style="">•<span style=""> </span></span></span><span style=";font-size:11;color:black;" >What do you do to relax after a busy day?</span><br /><span style=";font-size:11;color:black;" ><span style="">•<span style=""> </span></span></span><span style=";font-size:11;color:black;" >How important is music in your life?</span><br /><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0cm; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none; text-autospace:none; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:612.0pt 792.0pt; margin:70.85pt 70.85pt 70.85pt 70.85pt; mso-header-margin:36.0pt; mso-footer-margin:36.0pt; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} /* List Definitions */ @list l0 {mso-list-id:-2; mso-list-type:simple; mso-list-template-ids:983985830;} @list l0:level1 {mso-level-start-at:0; mso-level-number-format:bullet; mso-level-text:*; mso-level-tab-stop:none; mso-level-number-position:left; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:0cm;} @list l0:level1 lfo1 {mso-level-start-at:65535; mso-level-numbering:continue; mso-level-text:•; mso-level-tab-stop:none; mso-level-number-position:left; mso-level-legacy:yes; mso-level-legacy-indent:11.5pt; mso-level-legacy-space:0cm; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:0cm; font-family:"Times New Roman";} ol {margin-bottom:0cm;} ul {margin-bottom:0cm;} --> </style> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.35pt 0cm 0.0001pt 73.1pt; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; line-height: 18pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; font-weight: bold;"><span style=";font-size:11;color:black;" >Travel</span></p> <span style=";font-size:11;color:black;" ><span style="">•<span style=""> </span></span></span><span style=";font-size:11;color:black;" >Where would you like to go for your next holiday? (Why?)</span><br /><span style=";font-size:11;color:black;" ><span style="">•<span style=""> </span></span></span><span style=";font-size:11;color:black;" >What do you enjoy most about being on holiday?</span><br /><span style=";font-size:11;color:black;" ><span style="">•<span style=""> </span></span></span><span style=";font-size:11;color:black;" >What advice would you give to someone coming to visit your country?</span><br /><span style=";font-size:11;color:black;" ><span style="">•<span style=""> </span></span></span><span style=";font-size:11;color:black;" >Would you consider going on holiday on your own? (Why? / Why not?)</span><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0cm; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none; text-autospace:none; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:612.0pt 792.0pt; margin:70.85pt 70.85pt 70.85pt 70.85pt; mso-header-margin:36.0pt; mso-footer-margin:36.0pt; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} /* List Definitions */ @list l0 {mso-list-id:-2; mso-list-type:simple; mso-list-template-ids:983985830;} @list l0:level1 {mso-level-start-at:0; mso-level-number-format:bullet; mso-level-text:*; mso-level-tab-stop:none; mso-level-number-position:left; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:0cm;} @list l0:level1 lfo1 {mso-level-start-at:65535; mso-level-numbering:continue; mso-level-text:•; mso-level-tab-stop:none; mso-level-number-position:left; mso-level-legacy:yes; mso-level-legacy-indent:11.15pt; mso-level-legacy-space:0cm; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:0cm; font-family:"Times New Roman";} ol {margin-bottom:0cm;} ul {margin-bottom:0cm;} --> </style><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.35pt 0cm 0.0001pt 72.7pt; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; line-height: 18pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; font-weight: bold;"><span style=";font-size:11;color:black;" >People</span></p> <span style=";font-size:11;color:black;" >•<span style=""> </span>Who has had the greatest influence on your life so far?</span><br /><span style=";font-size:11;color:black;" >•<span style=""> </span>How easy is it for you to meet new people?</span><br /><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0cm; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none; text-autospace:none; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:612.0pt 792.0pt; margin:70.85pt 70.85pt 70.85pt 70.85pt; mso-header-margin:36.0pt; mso-footer-margin:36.0pt; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} /* List Definitions */ @list l0 {mso-list-id:-2; mso-list-type:simple; mso-list-template-ids:983985830;} @list l0:level1 {mso-level-start-at:0; mso-level-number-format:bullet; mso-level-text:*; mso-level-tab-stop:none; mso-level-number-position:left; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:0cm;} @list l0:level1 lfo1 {mso-level-start-at:65535; mso-level-numbering:continue; mso-level-text:•; mso-level-tab-stop:none; mso-level-number-position:left; mso-level-legacy:yes; mso-level-legacy-indent:11.15pt; mso-level-legacy-space:0cm; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:0cm; font-family:"Times New Roman";} ol {margin-bottom:0cm;} ul {margin-bottom:0cm;} --> </style> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5.4pt 0cm 0.0001pt 73.45pt; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;"><b><span style="letter-spacing: -0.3pt;font-size:11;color:black;" >Personal experience</span></b></p> <span style=";font-size:11;color:black;" >• In<b style="font-weight: bold;"> </b>what ways do you hope to use your English in the future?</span><br /><span style=";font-size:11;color:black;" >•<span style=""> </span>Looking back on your life, what has been a memorable event for<br />you?</span> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5.4pt 0cm 0.0001pt 73.1pt; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;"><b><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;font-size:11;color:black;" >The media</span></b></p> <span style=";font-size:11;color:black;" ><span style="">•<span style=""> </span></span></span><span style=";font-size:11;color:black;" >Do you prefer watching films at home or in the cinema? (Why?)</span><br /><span style=";font-size:11;color:black;" ><span style="">•<span style=""> </span></span></span><span style=";font-size:11;color:black;" >How important are newspapers for you? (Why do you say that?)</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">PART 2 INDIVIDUAL LONG TURNS - 4 MINUTES</span><br /><br />The interlocutor gives each candidate a one-minute speaking task.<br />In turn, the candidates are asked to compare two pictures from a set<br />of three in response to a two-pronged task. The candidates are<br />given both spoken and written prompts alongside the visual stimuli.<br />The listening candidate is asked to comment briefly (for about 30 seconds)<br />after their partner’s long turn.<br />This part tests the candidate’s ability to produce an extended piece of<br />discourse, which may involvecomparing, describing, expressing opinions<br />and speculating.<br /><br />Example Part 2 task:<br /><br /><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0cm; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none; text-autospace:none; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:612.0pt 792.0pt; margin:70.85pt 70.85pt 70.85pt 70.85pt; mso-header-margin:36.0pt; mso-footer-margin:36.0pt; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><span style="">Interlocutor:</span> <style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0cm; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none; text-autospace:none; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:612.0pt 792.0pt; margin:70.85pt 70.85pt 70.85pt 70.85pt; mso-header-margin:36.0pt; mso-footer-margin:36.0pt; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><span style=";font-size:11;color:black;" >In this part of the test, I'm going to give each of you three pictures. I'd like you to talk about them on your own for about a minute, and also to answer a question briefly about your partner's pictures.</span><i><span style=";font-size:11;color:black;" ><br />(Candidate A), </span></i><span style=";font-size:11;color:black;" >it's your turn first. Here are your pictures. They show different situations in which flags are used.</span><br /><br /><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/Wojtek/USTAWI%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot.jpg" alt="" /><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 271px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRUncCFvOMwCjnU5J9Wh3nKWZv3Fec5HdLCYu2tdEJuHUHJ3wUEDh06d3Df4q57oBjn8MmUSnTsQ69zmhpeMXlMX-vGdg8CvjAhIwnpu7Y1XiQHNG8o1_O41btqlxldU9gCJ94IccMaaOu/s320/flags.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324571267128929234" border="0" /><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0cm; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none; text-autospace:none; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:612.0pt 792.0pt; margin:70.85pt 70.85pt 70.85pt 70.85pt; mso-header-margin:36.0pt; mso-footer-margin:36.0pt; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5.75pt 0cm 0.0001pt 0.35pt; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; line-height: 11.9pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;"><span style=";font-size:11;color:black;" >I'd like you to compare two of the pictures, and say why the flags are being used, and what effect they might have on people who see them.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 1.1pt 0cm 0.0001pt 0.35pt; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; line-height: 18pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;font-size:11;color:black;" >All right?</span></p> <style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0cm; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none; text-autospace:none; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:612.0pt 792.0pt; margin:70.85pt 70.85pt 70.85pt 70.85pt; mso-header-margin:36.0pt; mso-footer-margin:36.0pt; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><span style="">Candidate A: </span><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0cm; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none; text-autospace:none; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:612.0pt 792.0pt; margin:70.85pt 70.85pt 70.85pt 70.85pt; mso-header-margin:36.0pt; mso-footer-margin:36.0pt; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><i><span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;font-size:11;color:black;" >[1 minute]</span></i><br /><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0cm; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none; text-autospace:none; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:612.0pt 792.0pt; margin:70.85pt 70.85pt 70.85pt 70.85pt; mso-header-margin:36.0pt; mso-footer-margin:36.0pt; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><span style="">Interlocutor:</span> <style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0cm; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none; text-autospace:none; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:612.0pt 792.0pt; margin:70.85pt 70.85pt 70.85pt 70.85pt; mso-header-margin:36.0pt; mso-footer-margin:36.0pt; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 4.7pt 0cm 0.0001pt 0.35pt; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; line-height: 11.9pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;"><span style=";font-size:11;color:black;" >Thank you.</span><i><span style=";font-size:11;color:black;" > (Candidate B), </span></i><span style=";font-size:11;color:black;" >in which picture do you think the flags have the greatest significance?</span></p> <style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0cm; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none; text-autospace:none; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:612.0pt 792.0pt; margin:70.85pt 70.85pt 70.85pt 70.85pt; mso-header-margin:36.0pt; mso-footer-margin:36.0pt; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><span style="">Candidate B: </span><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0cm; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none; text-autospace:none; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:612.0pt 792.0pt; margin:70.85pt 70.85pt 70.85pt 70.85pt; mso-header-margin:36.0pt; mso-footer-margin:36.0pt; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><i><span style=";font-size:11;color:black;" >[Approximately 30 seconds]</span></i><br /><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0cm; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none; text-autospace:none; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:612.0pt 792.0pt; margin:70.85pt 70.85pt 70.85pt 70.85pt; mso-header-margin:36.0pt; mso-footer-margin:36.0pt; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><span style="">Interlocutor:</span> <style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0cm; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none; text-autospace:none; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:612.0pt 792.0pt; margin:70.85pt 70.85pt 70.85pt 70.85pt; mso-header-margin:36.0pt; mso-footer-margin:36.0pt; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><span style=";font-size:11;color:black;" >Thank you.<br />Now, <i>(Candidate B), </i>here are your pictures. They show people and different kinds of wheels.</span><br /><br /><p><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 302px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi69agzkM3Rm3szVpziSdQ7ejLL8th_0BzX-0bfWyt3UyxWiCp3EBqffPf1gBxKsw3F8UwHmr7yhRXMHswtQ3_FFLW_6E9FBlcmC47-5d0TRJFK4or5PBANxPPFTuhYzfFig6Qn49XcM1QE/s320/wheels.bmp.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324575079709709122" border="0" /><br /></p><p>I'd like you to compare two of the pictures, and say what the wheels enable people to do, and how important they might be.<br />All right?<br /><br />Candidate B: [1 minute]<br /></p><p>Interlocutor: Thank you.<br />(Candidate A), which wheel do you think would be the most difficult to operate?</p><p>Candidate A: [Approximately 30 seconds]</p><p>Interlocutor: Thank you.<br /><br /><strong>PART 3 COLLABORATIVE TASK - 4 MINUTES </strong></p><p><br />This part of the test consists of a two-way discussion between the candidate in response to a two-pronged task based on visual and written stimuli, e.g. several photographs, artwork or computer graphics with spoken and written prompts. Candidates engage in a discussion and work towards reaching a negotiated conclusion towards the end of the task.<br />This part forms the basis for the questions in Part 4 and tests the candidate’s ability to engage in a discussion, exchange ideas, express and justify opinions, agree and/or disagree, make suggestions, speculate, evaluate and work towards a negotiated outcome.</p><p>Example Part 3 task:</p><p>Interlocutor: Now, I'd like you to talk about something together for about three minutes.</p><p><span style="font-size:85%;">(5 minutes for groups of three)</span><br />Here are some pictures showing when some famous events first took place.</p><p><br /><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 219px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz3QlUZjdhlssTlKXVTYMcSX31k_KeicfXXRRQOAdVQpJ78UMFk4SKEVyHnrjTcJ3f7AoC00CBpqA9zy0fyEN4pTLtBigcVd-7McMc6BxejxPYgTnNWeH_P7zDWobXeCu0v5vlDgqAmmuO/s320/events.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324580609379539554" border="0" /></p><p>Candidates: [3 minutes (5 minutes for groups of three)]</p><p>Interlocutor: Thank you.</p><p><strong>PART 4 DISCUSSION - 4 MINUTES </strong></p><p><strong></strong><br />In this part of the test, the interlocutor directs the interaction by asking candidates questions that widen the scope of the topic or issues in Part 3 and may be more abstract in nature. The interlocutor may specifically invite one of the candidates to respond or ask an open question of the pair. This part tests the candidate’s ability to engage in a more in-depth discussion, exchange<br />information, express and justify opinions and agree and/or disagree.</p><p>Example Part 4 questions:</p><p>• Which famous event would you like to have been involved in? (Why?)<br />• How important is it to enjoy new experiences in life? (Why?)<br />• Some people say nothing can be achieved without effort. How far do you agree with this?<br />• What aspects of life today do you think will be remembered in the future?<br />• How do you think life will change during this century?<br /><br /><br /><br /></p><p><br /><br /><br /></p><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0cm; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none; text-autospace:none; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:501.1pt 690.5pt; margin:21.6pt 36.35pt 152.65pt 32.75pt; mso-header-margin:36.0pt; mso-footer-margin:36.0pt; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} @page Section2 {size:612.0pt 792.0pt; margin:70.85pt 70.85pt 70.85pt 70.85pt; mso-header-margin:36.0pt; mso-footer-margin:36.0pt; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section2 {page:Section2;} /* List Definitions */ @list l0 {mso-list-id:-2; mso-list-type:simple; mso-list-template-ids:983985830;} @list l0:level1 {mso-level-start-at:0; mso-level-number-format:bullet; mso-level-text:*; mso-level-tab-stop:none; mso-level-number-position:left; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:0cm;} @list l0:level1 lfo1 {mso-level-start-at:65535; mso-level-numbering:continue; mso-level-text:•; mso-level-tab-stop:none; mso-level-number-position:left; mso-level-legacy:yes; mso-level-legacy-indent:11.15pt; mso-level-legacy-space:0cm; margin-left:0cm; text-indent:0cm; font-family:"Times New Roman";} ol {margin-bottom:0cm;} ul {margin-bottom:0cm;} --> </style>Wojtekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00118240525803861208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6935242063129568447.post-34736334318070103062009-04-07T21:53:00.002+02:002009-04-07T22:01:22.486+02:00GRAMMAR ISSUES - "TO" AS A PREPOSITION<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 5.6pt 0cm 0.0001pt 56.5pt; background: white none repeat scroll 0% 0%; line-height: 16.2pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; text-align: center;"><i><span style=";font-size:15;color:black;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span></i></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 102); font-weight: bold;">To</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> is actually two different words.</span><br /></div><br /> It can be an infinitive marker, used to show that the<br />next word is an infinitive (e.g. to swim, to laugh).<br /> It can also be a preposition, followed for example<br />by a noun.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">(e.g. She's gone to the park, I look forward to Christmas). </span><br /><br />When to is a preposition, it can be followed by<br /> the -ing form of a verb, but not normally by<br />the infinitive.<br /><br />Common expressions in which this happens are: <br /><br /> look forward to, object to, be used to,<br />prefer (doing one thing to doing another), <br />get round to, in addition to.<br /><br /> In the following examples, note how the<br /> preposition to can be followed by either<br />a noun or an -ing form. <br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"></span>I look forward to your next letter.<br />I look forward to hearing from you.<br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 102);">(not ... to hear from you.)</span><br /><br />Do you object to Sunday work?<br />Do you object to working on Sundays?<br /><br />I'm not used to London traffic.<br />I'm not used to driving in London.<br /><br />I prefer the seaside to the mountains.<br />I prefer swimming to walking.<br /><br />I'll get round to the washing up sooner or later.<br />I'll get round to doing the washing up sooner or later.<br /><br /><br />A few verbs and adjectives are used with to before nouns,<br />but are followed by the infinitives of verbs.<br /><br />Examples are agree, consent, entitled, inclined, prone.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"></span>She agreed to our plan. She agreed to do what we wanted.<br /><br />He's inclined to anger. I He's inclined to lose his temper.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="float: none;">Accustomed can be followed by to + -ing form or an infinitive </span></span>Wojtekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00118240525803861208noreply@blogger.com0