A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O: 1. Noun + Noun

ANSWER KEY
1. Noun + Noun
A razor edge F hush money K the rat race
B home stretch G head start L elbow grease
C shelf life H mother tongue M night cap
D road hog I nest egg N cleft stick
E the jet set J wild goose chase O cupboard love
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
C H M K G J L B I D E O A F N
2. Pairs
1. thumbs 6. parcel 11. gloom
2. chalk 7. life 12. kith
3. death 8. touch 13. dribs
4. nail 9. span 14. vim
5. rack 10. bobs 15. tucker
3. Choose the noun

1. hammer 6. school 11. ground
2. circle 7. hide 12. leg
3. hairs 8. books 13. elements
4. lid 9. day 14. flag
5. shop 10. water 15. fat
4. Guess the meaning

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
M F A N C I K D B 0 L G E J H
5. Mind, head or brain?

1. head 2. mind 3. head 4. mind 5. brains 6. mind 7. mind 8. head
9. mind 10. head 11. minds 12. brain 13. mind 14. head 15. brains
6. Four-letter words
1.keep 6. gift 11. sack
2. part 7. book 12. life
3. line 8. turn 13. pass
4. mark 9. pace 14. hair
5. time 10. dash 15. dole
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7. Adjective + Noun
1. old chestnut 6. hot potato 11. red herring
2. wet blanket 7. eager beaver 12. odd jobs
3. (the) last straw 8. dead wood 13. clean sweep
4. narrow squeak 9. golden handshake 14. easy game
5. white lie 10. ivory tower 15. lame duck
8. Definitions
1. willies 6. flak 11. moon
2. bay 7. time 12.houses
3. avenue 8. mincemeat 13. dust
4. grain 9. hoops 14. jackpot
5. deal 10. knot 15. bait
9. Choose the idiom

1. pull your socks up 6. change his spots
2. bearing a grudge against me 7. thread our way through
3. run in his blood 8. called his bluff
4. met his Waterloo 9. put them through their paces
5. make his mouth water 10. pop the question
10. -ING adjectives

1. roaring 6. melting 11. cutting
2. forwarding 7. extenuating 12. teething
3. flying 8. going 13. damning
4. laughing 9. growing 14. saving
5. spitting 10. tearing 15. running
11. Prepositional phrases

1. off the cuff 6. on the blink 11. over the hill
2. in tatters 7. beyond the pale 12. on the hop
3. in the offing 8. in aid of 13. off the peg
4. on cloud nine 9. in the saddle 14. in deep water
5. at odds 10. At first glance 15. under the weather
12. Choose the verb

1. nail 6. burning 11. hit
2. pluck 7. lead 12. reap
3. cry 8. shed 13. split
4. read 9. working 14. stew
5. poke 10. spare 15. fanned
134
13. Parts of the body
1. chin 6. teeth 11. shoulder
2. heart 7. hair 12. bone
3. palm 8. lip 13. neck
4. face 9. back 14. eye
5. nose 10. leg 15. thumb
14. Of - phrases
1 .freak 6. can 11. spot
2. walk 7. horse 12. spice
3. bed 8. apple 13. ward
4. hive 9. quirk 14. neck
5. slip 10. load 15. sleight
15. Multiple choice

1. b 6. b 11. c 16. a
2. c 7. a 12. a 17. c
3. c 8. d 13. c 18. b
4. a 9. c 14. d 19. a
5. d 10. b 15. c 20. c
16. Definitions
1. brick 2. wick 3. wind 4. boil 5. mill
6. wall 7. fort 8. bucket 9. hay 10. surface
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
F B G I H E J A D C
17. Musical idioms

1. trumpet 4. chord 7. note 10. song
2. fiddle 5. dance 8. bell 11. tune
3. drum 6. tango 9. music 12. sound
18. Colours
1. red 6. black 11. red 16. white 21. brown 26. pink
2. green 7. grey 12. green 17. pink 22. silver 27. red
3. pink 8. colour 13. blue 18. blue 23. grey 28. black
4. blue 9. black 14. red 19. yellow 24. blue 29. colour
5. white 10. blue 15. colour 20. red 25. green 30. silver
135
19. Paraphrases
1. Read the manual if you want to get the hang of operating the welding
machine.
2. Is she still in two minds about marrying Alexander?
3. This building will be dedicated to the families who are on the breadline.
4. He will do just anything to curry favour with the teachers.
5. It took us four years to put down (new) roots in the new surroundings.
6. We only trade with the retailers who pay us on the nail.
7. Nothing of what you speak has ever come to pass.
8. It's about time the government got to grips with the problem of
unemployment.
9. I felt creeps all over my back when the tutor looked daggers at me.
10. As usual, Sam makes heavy weather of the job.
11. Seeing how poor the people looked, I did not have the heart to charge
them for the meals.
12. Last time I went to visit Evelyn she looked down in the dumps.
13. Stop complaining about your life and count your blessings.
14. Just because I am his wife he expects me to wait on him hand and foot.
15. Nancy is the kind of person who likes to have a finger in every pie.
20. Noun phrases

A arms F millstone K icing
B fly G castles L pan
C sting H spanner M needle
D straw I bull N feather
E suit J bolt O manger
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
H E J L O M N K G F I A D B C
21. Adjectival phrases

1. fresh 4. stiff 7. blind 10. full 13. flat
2. tall 5. hot 8. easy 11. tight 14. deep
3. big 6. trump 9. close 12. dead 15. short
22. Comparisons
1.houses 6. eel 11.rock 16. hills
2. mouse 7. grave 12. word 17. Larry
3. sheet 8. peas 13. sheep 18. rake
4. sin 9. lamb 14. bee 19. Pie
5. rain 10. lord 15. cucumber 20. ice
136
23. Clothing
1. hat 4. sock 7. shirt 10. pants 13. belt
2. trousers 5. knickers 8. shoes 11. coat 14. hat
3. belt 6. boots 9. suit 12. sleeve 15. pants
24. Nature
1. thunder 4. water 7. dust 10. moon 13. river
2. ebb 5. night 8. storm 11. tide 14. ice
3. rain 6. air 9. earth 12. weather 15. wind
25. FOOD
1. beans 4. cherry 7. salt 10. fat 13. egg
2. pie 5. onions 8. bacon 11. apple 14. pudding
3. biscuit 6. fig 9. oats 12. soup 15. meal
26. Misprints
1. SORTS 6. MOON 11. SKIN 16. BANG 21. PRIDE
2. DOOM 7. NOSE 12. TORCH 17. FORE 22. STRIDE
3. PIE 8. DUST 13. WOOL 18. SACK 23. OAR
4. DRAIN 9. LIMB 14. CHEST 19. WINDS 24. HASH
5. PILL 10. LEAF 15. TOLL 20. DANDER 25. BONE
27. Pairs
1. sick and tired 6. hale and hearty
2. long and short 7. black and blue
3. thick and thin 8. hot and bothered
4. high and low 9. safe and sound
5. straight and narrow 10. fair and square
28. Matching meanings

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
H E C J F A I G B D

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
A G C O F M B L I E N K H D J
30 Choose the verb

1.keep 3. get 5. make 7. put 9. blow
2. steer 4. run 6. cut 8. mince 10.save
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
D I A F E H I C B G
137
1. skin 4. hand 7. mouth 10. feet 13. hair
2. face 5. fist 8. blood 11. heart 14. spine
3. breast 6. stomach 9. nose 12. back 15. eye
32. Multiple choice

1. a 6. c 11. c 16. C
2. c 7. a 12. a 17. b
3. d 8. c 13. b 18. a
4. b 9. b 14. b 19. c
5.d 10. c 15. d 20. d

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
A K F N B I M C G D J O H E L
34. Animals
1. pig 4. bird 7. dodo 10. bee 13. duck
2. goat 5. horse 8. monkey 11. dogs 14. turkey
3. cows 6. rat 9. lion 12. bull 15. cat

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
F M K E J G D B L C O N I H A
36. Adjectives & Adverbs

1. thin 6. shy 11. short
2. astray 7. hollow 12. even
3. wide 8. quick 13. hard
4. heavy 9. backwards 14. fine
5. afoul 10. askance 15. beside
37. -ING adjectives

1. redeeming 6. burning 11. sitting
2. hopping 7. shooting 12. waking
3. crashing 8. working 13. piping
4. flaming 9. receiving 14. finishing
5. striking 10. breathing 15. rolling
138
38. Three-letter words
1. eye 6. red 11. dot 16. end
2. cog 7. bed 12. pie 17. log
3. cap 8. lid 13. hot 18. law
4. job 9. cat 14. day 19. ear
5. fat 10. way 15. fry 20. hot
39. True or False?

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
T T F F T F F T T F T F F T T T F T F T
40. Of - phrases
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
N O E M D B L I K A C F H J G
41. Paraphrases
1. He spat on my doormat and I went spare.
2. Soon after they met each other, they got on/along(AmE) like a house on fire.
3. You'll be for the high jump if someone discovers you've fiddled the company
books.
4. Dave makes no bones about criticizing his superiors' decisions. 5.1 was left
in the middle of the woods to my own devices.
6. It was Jack who broke the news of the tragedy.
7. Her pension is rather low, so she scrapes a living.
8. Whatever happens, I can take every problem in my stride.
9. The man's name is on the tip of my tongue.
10. Mr Abercrombie is over eighty, but he's still full of beans.
11. The ministry put a spoke in our wheel by changing the tax law.
12. You're riding for a fall if you steal stationery from your office.
13. The teacher sent the boy out, because he was playing/acting the goat.
14. The failed exam has put paid to Ann's chance of becoming a sworn translator.
15. Don't be too hard on Andy; he's an absolute beginner.
42. Proverbs & Sayings
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
F G J A L D I B K E C H
139
43. Numbers
1. nines 4. six 7. four 10. one 13. million
2. million 5. eleventh 8. dozen 11. sevens 14. two
3. one 6. nine 9. nine 12. two/ten 15. ten
44. Adjectival & Adverbial

1. are slow off the mark 11. come clean
2. do the dirty on someone 12. play merry hell with someone
3. break even 13. fly high
4. gain the upper hand 14. go straight
5. fall on hard times 15. strike it rich
6. take something amiss 16. keep an open mind on something
7. are soft in the head 17. go off to a flying start
8. run wild 18. go one better
9. take French leave 19. take something lying down
10. fall short of something 20. keep a level head
45. Nature
DOWN: ACROSS:
1. winds 10. daisies 4. ocean 12. grapevine
2. gooseberry 13. iceberg 5. clouds 16. acorns
3. clover 14. roots 7. roses 17. thorn
6. grapes 15. water 8. nettle 18. whisker
9. tree 18. wood 11. leaf 19. grass
46. Multiple choice

1. D 6. A 11. B 16. C
2. B 7. D 12. C 17. D
3. C 8. C 13. C 18.A
4. D 9. D 14. A 19. B
5. B 10. A 15. B 20. D

1. fingers 6. feet 11. arm 16. eye 21. back
2. back 7. eye 12.neck 17. finger 22.arm
3. ear 8. mouth 13. leg 18. mouth 23. shoulder
4. chest 9. chin 14. face 19. elbow 24. heel
5. knuckle 10. heels 15. hair 20. knees 25. neck

1. B 3. B 5. A 7. C 9. A
2. A 4. C 6. B 8. B 10. C
140
49. Pairs of verbs
1. live and learn 6. wheel and deal
2. ummed and aahed 7. chop and change
3. come and go 8. huff and puff
4. bow and scrape 9. lived and breathed
5. grin and bear 10. wined and dined
50. Clothing
1. seams 6. boots 11. hat
2. hat 7. shirt 12. socks
3.shoes 8. pants 13. pocket
4. apron 9. bootstraps 14. clogs
5. pockets 10. cap 15. pants
51. Noun phrases

1. stage fright 6. sea dog
2. donkey's years 7. elbow room
3. rat race 8. flash point
4. poverty line 9. sheep's eyes
5. hatchet man 10. home truths
52. Dialogues with sayings

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
F C I A H E J B G D

_DOWN ACROSS
1. flash 12. bat 3. wall 14. beam
2. cloud 13. person 4. liberty 16. league
5. belt 14. blow 6. doldrums 17. breadline
6. depth 15. pinch 7. hump 19. bounds
9. stroke 17. blood 8. heel 20. cards
11. keeps 18. board 10. tenterhooks 21. numbers
54. Misprints
1. nail-tail 6. boot-boat 11. coats-coals
2. vest-nest 7. mist-miss 12. hose-nose
3. grass-brass 8. dusk-dust 13. shop-chop
4. blink-blank 9. fort-foot 14. store-stone
5. hook-book 10. blond-blood 15. huts-guts
141
55. Combinations
1. kill the fatted calf 6. come to a sticky end
2. settle an old score 7. keep a straight face
3. drive a hard bargain 8. fight a losing battle
4. walk a thin line 9. take a free ride
5. play silly buggers 10. go great guns
56. Animals & Nature
1. c 4. c 7. b 10. c 13. a
2. b 5. a 8. d 11. b 14. b
3. a 6. d 9. a 12. d 15. d
57. Of - phrases
1. mine 6. thumb 11. mark
2. fish 7. apple 12. debt
3. hat 8. stroke 13. pound
4. prime 9. bones 14. bundle
5. whale 10. quirk 15. tricks
58. Various idioms
1. volumes 6. edgeways 11. draw
2.lurch 7. mark 12. sidelines
3. umbrage 8. aegis 13. mickey
4. chip 9. burton 14. cackle
5. medium 10. roost 15. shrift
59. Definitions with verbs
1. ring 4. poke 7. bend 10. wipe 13. spare
2. give 5. down 8. nip 11. rake 14. beat
3. stick 6. trim 9. grit 12. gild 15. shift
60. Similar meanings
1. fly off the handle - blow a fuse
2. take sb for a ride - pull a fast one
3. lead the field - make it big
4. be dead from the neck up - have nothing between your ears
5. pick up the threads - start from scratch
6. cook the books - have your fingers in the till
7. kick the bucket - bite the dust
8. be in fine fettle - be in the pink
9. call the tune - run the show
10. keep body and soul together - keep the wolf from the door
11. pull a long face - be down in the mouth
12. be in the family way - be in the club
142
61. Adjective + Noun
1. first water 6. fair crack 11. common cause
2. great shakes 7. safe bet 12. beaten track
3. easy terms 8. high dudgeon 13. full bloom
4. dim view 9. good books 14. tight corner
5. close quarters 10. charmed life 15. full blast
62. Reshuffled letters

1. WORLD 5. POINT 9. ROAD 13. STEAD
2. CRUNCH 6. HATCHET 10. WEDGE 14. WIRES
3. FIGURE 7. BOARD 11. PERCH 15. HORNS
4. PIECE 8. HOG 12. BRIEF 16. COURT
63. Adjectival & Adverbial pairs

1. proper 6. above 11. collected
2. sundry 7. ready 12. high
3. loose 8. null 13. breezy
4. truly 9. far 14. square
5. betwixt 10. thick 15. hot
64. Of-phrases
1. lease 4. horns 7. scum 10. root 13. bundle
2. creature 5. bane 8. flights 11. breach 14. turn
3. nick 6. lap 9. germ 12. spur 15. stream
65. Multiple choice

1. b 4. a 7. c 10. a 13. c 16. d
2. d 5. c 8. c 11. c 14. a 17. c
3. b 6. d 9. b 12. a 15. c 18. c

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
F C J A H E I B D G
4 9 6 1 8 3 10 5 2 7
143
67. Paraphrases
1. It is not polite to poke your nose into people's private matters, Bob.
2. Do their concerts still pack the house as they did before?
3. You will be riding for a fall if you entrust this task to Malcolm.
4. I split my sides when I heard about Harry's adventure with the bull.
5. The hiker's life hung by a thread when he was bitten by a poisonous snake.
6. With that comment of yours you did hit the nail on the head.
7. Finally, we met our partner halfway.
8. As a young girl, I had a crush on my teacher of Spanish.
9. It's crucial for us to keep a tight rein on the juvenile inmates.
10. Your husband takes you for granted because you have always waited on
him hand and foot.
68. Animals
DOWN ACROSS
1. bull 9. animal 3. cat 14. bird
2. hare 10. parrot 5. flea 16. mutton
3. camel 12. horse 6. crocodile 17. sheep
4. goose 14. beast 7. mice 18. oyster
5. fish 15. duck 11. beaver 19. leopard
8. crow 20. dog 13. worm 20. pigs
69. Names and surnames

1. Paul 6. Sam 11. Harry
2. Dick 7. Jane 12. Pete
3. Jack Robinson 8. McCoy 13. Tom
4. Bob 9. Bill 14.Joneses
5. Joe Bloggs 10. Pandora 15. Midas
70. Nature
1. ice 4. shadow 7. heaven 10. earth
2. skies 5. clouds 8. wind 11. fog
3. whirl 6. weather 9. hell 12. air
71. Cartoons
1. pull strings 6. have a roof over our heads
2. had egg on his face 7. casting pearls before swine
3. took me for a ride 8. threw down the gauntlet
4. putting my feet up 9. fell between two stools
5. pushed the boat out 10. wetted the baby's head
144
72. Definitions
1. stakes 6. muck 11. veil 16. corners
2. threads 7. cobwebs 12. chop 17. stride
3. cap 8. salt 13. straws 18. eggshells
4. book 9. buck 14. bubble 19. measure
5. dash 10. complexion 15. bats 20. hump
73. Dialogues
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
F C H A D B G E

1. hard 6. town 11. cold 16. spot
2. flag 7. rise 12. wind 17. fell
3. skin 8. rank 13. core 18. push
4. wall 9. foot 14. line 19. odds
5. rest 10. Adam 15. bomb 20. down
75. Of - phrases
1. salt 4. act 7. holy 10. frame 13. kiss
2. labour 5. leave 8. code 11. flavour 14. stroke
3. cream 6. sleigh 9. baptism 12. soul 15. glare

1.bat 6. means 11. crook
2. sweat 7. barrel 12. dumps
3. books 8. depth 13. loggerheads
4. lieu 9. cahoots 14. lick
5. skids 10. tilt 15. pins

1. Beauty 6. Practice 11. Pride
2. Hope 7. Variety 12. Prevention
3. Truth 8. Actions 13. Curiosity
4. Necessity 9. Love 14. Ignorance
5. Charity 10. Fortune 15. Familiarity
145
1. dab 6. rough 11. wishful
2. mint 7. cold 12. bumpy
3. vested 8. foregone 13. loose
4. stony 9. long 14. soft
5. inside 10. odd 15. foreign
79. Choose the word

1. stick 4. pump 7. beam 10. stone 13. turn
2. oil 5. gauntlet 8. fuel 11. chink 14. closet
3. candle 6. hook 9. circle 12. court 15. mark

1. number 6. punches 11. grade
2. castles 7. light 12. slip
3. overboard 8. fling 13. powder
4. gamut 9. pinch 14. house
5. wits 10. record 15. canoe
81. Choose the verb

1. dice 3. buck 5. labour 7. let 9. blaze
2. pick 4. stake 6. rub 8. tug 10. right
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
E F I J B A H D G C

1. shoulder 6. neck 11. foot
2. tongue 7. heart 12. mouth
3. bone 8. hand 13. chest
4. finger 9. face 14.head
5. hair 10. teeth rozwiązanie: long in the tooth
83. Compounds domino

1.CATNAP 6. TOMBOY 11. BLUE-BLOOD
2. BLACKLEG 7. GATECRASHER 12. CHATTERBOX
3. WARHORSE 8. BUSYBODY 13. WALLFLOWER
4. WINDFALL 9. BOMBSHELL 14. KILLJOY
5. EYESORE 10. KEYSTONE 15. FIREBRAND
146
16. WATERSHED 21. PITFALL 26. HEYDAY
17. BRAINWAVE 22. FLAGSHIP 27. HEARTTHROB
18. DEAD END 23. GODSEND 28. DOGSBODY
19. EGGHEAD 24. CORNERSTONE 29. HEADWAY
20. FOOLs GOLD 25. BRAINDRAIN 30. STOPGAP
84. Missing letters

1. huddle 6. trumps 11. stab 16. goat
2. pieces 7. fences 12.peg 17. comb
3. daylights 8. firing 13. tail 18. fruitcake
4. virtue 9. business 14. bandwagon 19. makings
5. coals 10. clanger 15. shine 20. roof

1. on/at 4. at 7. for 10. under 13. on
2. round 5. off 8. at 11. on 14. on
3. in 6. under 9. in 12. at 15. in

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
M A E N D I O K D G B L F H C

1. spot 6. sticky 11. blow
2. acid 7. tooth 12. short
3. shot 8. vicious 13. suit
4. open 9. flame 14. sea
5. hours 10. hot 15. dip
88. Pairs
1. fire and water 6. hustle and bustle 11. an arm and a leg
2. airs and graces 7. cats and dogs 12. meat and drink
3. hand and foot 8. house and home 13. ins and outs
4. nook and cranny 9. care and attention 14. hammer and tongs
5. beer and skittles 10. odds and ends 15. heart and soul
147
1. The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.
2. The road to hell is paved with good intentions.
3. Better to be safe than sorry.
4. There's no smoke without fire.
5. Let sleeping dogs lie.
6. There's one born every minute.
7. Accidents will happen.
8. Waste not, want not.
9. One swallow does not make a summer.
10. A new broom sweeps clean.
11. You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink.
12. A trouble shared is a trouble halved.
90. Choose the meaning

1. he/she holds a general election
2. you enjoy doing what you like best
3. you like meeting and talking to people
4. you try to gather strength and confidence
5. you fail to achieve your goals
6. you are very enthusiastic about it
7. you develop and take up new activities
8. you come to take advantage of a situation
9. you have a full control over them
10. you never do anything exciting or unusual
11. you live on more than you earn
12. you turn very angry
13. you are clever and hard to cheat
14. you react in an irrational way to a danger
15. you are in a beneficial position
16. you take their blame upon yourself
17. you gladly do everything that someone wants
18. you consider it valuable or important
19. you lose your prestige or become poor
20. you decide to do something risky
91. -ING adjectives

1. fighting 6. staying 11. working
2. sitting 7. besetting 12. going
3. shrinking 8. whipping 13. stamping
4. sticking 9. stumbling 14. turning
5. slanging 10. sleeping 15. nodding
148
92. Paraphrases
1. My boss hauled me over the coals for not keeping my deadlines.
2. Since I crossed swords with William, we haven't spoken to each other.
3. You must pull out all the stops to make the negotiations successful.
4. Children get a kick out of/from unwrapping their Christmas presents.
5. When simultaneous interpreting is the matter, Mia can run rings around
the other interpreters.
6. You lost the game because you missed the mark.
7. He swept the matter under the carpet because he didn't want to lose
his high position.
8. When I asked him about the money, he went off the deep end.
9. The prisoner grabbed the keys and made a bolt for the door.
10. She's only happy when somebody dances attendance on her.
11. For two years, the company had a bumpy ride making nothing but losses.
12. When he made friends in the new place, Ron came out of his shell.
13. As I expected, my designs have knocked the designs of the other
architects into a cocked hat.
14. Before you start working on the project, first clear the decks.
15. It's my last night before joining the army, so I am going to go out on the
razzle.
93. Multiple choice

1. c 5. a 9. d 13. d
2. a 6. d 10. b 14. a
3. b 7. c 11. d 15. d
4. c 8. c 12. b 16. a
94. Misprints
1. HAIR 6. STROKE 11. BOOK 16. WASH
2. SKATES 7. HEAP 12. STUMPS 17. RUG
3. GUNS 8. LAP 13. ART. 18. CHECK
4. HEED 9. BLOCK 14. DART 19. TASK
5. MILL 10. ROD 15. BOARD 20. LIGHT
95. Miscellaneous phrases

1. manna 6. love 11. breath
2. deal 7. bottom 12. hand
3. honour 8. stick 13. rub
4. snowball's 9. streets 14. colours
5. coin 10. hell 15. ground
149
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
G O J C B H A K D N L I E M F

1. dead duck 11. wide boy
2. hot air 12. rare bird
3. soft touch 13. damp squib
4. clean sheet 14. small beer
5. near miss 15. paper tiger
6. roaring success 16. cold comfort
7. old woman 17. smart alec(k)
8. sticky wicket 18. slippery slope
9. stiff drink 19. wet blanket
10. itchy feet 20. hard line
98. Various idioms

DOWN ACROSS
1. pants 3. design
2. pebble 6. wayside
4. bust 7. cudgels
5. rack 10. ceremony
8. tangent 11. wheat
9. ranks 14. tall
11. ways 15. can
12. whistle 16. straw
13. agony 19. gun
17. flush 20. brush
18. sorts 21.havoc
22. cap 23. poles
24. pat

1. thumbs 6. hand 11.teeth 16. face
2. mouth 7. ear 12. bone 17. heart
3. heel 8. head 13. nose 18. skin
4. nerve 9. back 14. palm 19. lips
5. cheek 10. fingers 15. arm 20. hip
150
100. Comparisons
1. peacock 6. button 11. mule 16. bell 21. mustard
2. brass 7. ABC 12. bone 17. dust 22. dog
3. post 8. hills 13. clam 18. whistle 23. silk
4. doornail 9. clockwork 14. Punch 19. hatter 24.houses
5. sin 10. fiddle 15. nails 20. life 25. rock

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
R E J P A M D Q K G S C N H B T I O F L

1. pale 4. screw 7. blow 10. pick 13. steal
2. heap 5. bluff 8. fly 11. hedge 14. spare
3. fish 6. run 9. set 12. touch 15. tear

1. proud 4. easy 7. flat 10. dumb 13. cold
2. good 5. sour 8. low 11. hard 14. smooth
3. short 6. just 9. thick 12. fast 15. dear
104. Compounds
1. in 6. by 11. up 16. about 21. up
2. out 7. off 12. through 17. on 22. back
3. off 8. up 13. out 18. by 23. out
4. up 9. out 14. out 19. down 24. back
5. out 10. up 15. up 20. through 25. up
105. Cartoons
1. be running around like a headless chicken
2. drink like a fish.
3. have got sticky fingers.
4. slip on a banana skin
5. throw the book at someone
6. join hands with someone
7. eat someone alive
8. bite the bullet
9. cast/shed/throw new light on something
10. move mountains
151
IDIOM GLOSSARY
1. Noun + Noun
Znaczenia zwrotów i idiomów zostały wyjaśnione w ćwiczeniu.
2. Pairs
(sb's) best bib and tucker - someone's best clothes /torn on spec/a.' occasions
bits and bobs - small things of various lends
(be) as different as chalk and cheese - completely different from each other
doom and gloom - pessimism or a feeling of loss of all hops
(in) dribs and drabs - in small amounts or numbers
(be all) fingers and thumbs - be clumsy or unable to told things in one's hands
(sb's) kith and kin - family, relatives or friends
(be a matter of) life and death (to sb) - be a matter of great importance
(be) life and soul (of the party) - be very cheerful, sociable and enthusiastic
(be) part and parcel of sth - an inseparable part of something
(go to) rack and ruin - get into very bad condition (ruin)because of bad care
spick and spar - clean, neat, tidy
(fight) tooth and nail (for sth) - fight with great determination
(be full of) vim and vigour - be full of life and energy
3. Choose the noun

brave the elements - go out or do smth outside in spite of bad weather
break new ground - make an important discovery
call It a day - stop working or doing something
chew the fat - chat or talk about unimportant matters
come under the hammer - be offered for sale at an auction
cook the books - change company accounts in order to steal money
hold water - be or sound true
pull sb's leg - tell someone a lie just for fun
put the lid on (sb's hopes, plans etc) - ruin or bring on end to plans, hopes etc.
show/wave the flag - do sth brave to encourage others to act in the
same way
split hairs - argue about small and unimportant details of a matter
square the circle - try to do or achieve something that is impossible
talk shop - talk about business matters during a social meeting
tan sb's hide - punish someone by beating them
tell tales out of school - reveal secrets of a group or company to someone
who does not belong or work for it
152
5. Mind, head or brain?

blow one's mind - make someone very excited or pleased about something
give sb their head - give someone the freedom to do what they want
have got half a mind to do sth - have an intention or plan to do something
have sth on the brain - think or talk a lot about something
(be) head over heels (in love) - be deeply in love
(be) in two minds about sth - be unable to decide what to do
keep a level head - remain calm and not lose cold blood in a difficult situation
keep one's head above water - stay out of debt; manage to deal with a problem
make up one's mind - make one's decision
(be) on sb's mind - be thinking about or considering something
pick sb's brains about sth - ask someone for information about sth they are good at
rack one's brains - think very hard about sth; try hard to remember sth
set one's mind/heart on sth - want to do or achieve sth very much
speak one's mind - speak openly what one thinks about sth
turn sb's head - make someone too proud or self-confident
be on the dole - be unemployed and live on the government money
bring sb to book - punish someone or make them explain their acting
come to a pretty/sorry pass - become or reach a sad and miserable state
come to life - become more exciting or interesting
do sb a good turn - help or do something useful for someone
draw the line at sth - object to something that you do not accept
earn your own keep - earn money for your own life
give sb/be given the sack - make sb/be made redundant
have got the gift of the gab - the ability to persuade people by talking to them
keep pace with sb - move, work or develop at the same speed as someone else
Keep your hair on! - Be calm! Don't be angry! Don't panic!
live on borrowed time - (of someone very ill) live longer than expected by doctors
make a dash for - run quickly in a particular direction
take sth in good part - not get offended by something unpleasant
(be) up to the mark - (be) as good as expected
7. Adjective + Noun
8. Definitions
153
9. Choose the idiom
bear/have a grudge against sb - dislike or be offended with sb for sth bad they did to you
call sb's bluff - challenge sb to do what they threaten to do
change one's spots - change one's nature, behaviour, way of thinking
make sb's mouth water - make sb feel hungry or want something very much
meet one's Waterloo - be finally defeated after a long time of being on top
pop the question - ask your girlfriend to marry you
pull one's socks up - start working harder or being more determined
put sb through their paces - test sb's ability by making them do something difficult
run in sb's blood - inherit certain qualities or abilities from your ancestors
thread one's way through - move through a crowded place
10. - ING adjectives

(be at the) cutting edge (of) - be at the most advanced level of development
damning evidence - the evidence that definitely proves sb's guilt
extenuating circumstances - the circumstances that justify breaking the rules
forwarding address - the address that your post is sent to when you move out
going concern - a good business that brings good profits
growing pains - the difficulties that occur at the beginning of development
in a tearing hurry - be in a great hurry, do something in a hurry
(be) no laughing matter - something serious and important
melting pot - a place where people of various races or origins live together
roaring success - a great success
running costs - the costs of maintaining something
saving grace - the only quality that makes sth or sb useful or acceptable
(be the) spitting image (of) - look exactly like somebody else
teething troubles - difficulties that you have when you learn to do smth new
with flying colours - in a very good and successful way

at first glance - judging by first look or first appearances
(be) at odds (with) - be in disagreement with sb
beyond the pale - offensive, socially unacceptable
(What is it) in aid of (?) - What is the purpose of it? What is it used for?
in deep water - in great trouble; in a dangerous situation
in tatters - torn (clothes); ruined (plans, hopes etc.)
in the offing - likely to happen soon
in the saddle - in a position of control and responsibility
off the cuff - without thinking or considering first
off the peg - ready to wear, not tailored (clothes)
on cloud nine - very happy
on the blink - not working properly (device, machine etc.)
(catch sb) on the hop - surprise sb by doing smth they are not ready to deal with
over the hill - past one's best time, not young anymore
under the weather - slightly ill, sick; depressed
154
12. Choose the verb
burn the candle at both ends - get little sleep because of being busy from early
morning till late at night
fan the flames of sth - make something even worse (feeling, anger, fury etc.)
it's no good/use crying over spilt - it's a waste of time to be sad or worry about
milk something wrong that has been done and cannot be
changed
lead sb astray - persuade someone to act in a wrong or foolish way
let sb stew in their own juice - leave sb to suffer the effects of their wrong actions
nail a lie - prove that what someone says is not true
pluck up the courage (to do sth) - find enough courage in oneself to do something
poke fun at sb - make fun of someone, tell bad jokes about someone
read between the lines - be able to find the hidden and real meaning of what
someone says
reap a (good/bad) harvest - benefit or suffer from the result of what you have
done
shed new light on sth - give new facts that help understand or solve a
problem
spare no pains/expense/trouble (to) - spend or offer as much effort, money etc. as
necessary
split the difference - agree on an amount that is halfway between two
others
work to rule - do one's job very slowly and according to all possible
rules as a way of protest
get it in the neck - be reprimanded or punished for your misbehaviour

give sb the cold shoulder - treat someone in a very unfriendly way
grease sb's palm - give sb money to make them settle a matter for you
have a bone to pick with sb - have a reason to complain to someone about
have a change of heart - change one's approach toward sb or sth for more
friendly or considerable
have one's back to the wall - be in a difficult situation to which there's no easy
solution
Keep your chin up! - Don't lose your optimism! Stay cheerful!
lie through one's teeth - tell lies without being embarrassed about it
not have a leg to stand on - not be able to prove that what you say is true or valid
not turn a hair - show no emotions when one is expected to
pay lip-service to sth - promise to support sb, but do nothing to prove it
put sb's nose out of joint - make sb angry by not paying much attention to them
set one's face against sth - object strongly to something
stick/stand out like a sore thumb - be noticeable in an unpleasant way; expose oneself
to laughter, criticism etc.
there's more to it than meets the - something is more interesting/complex etc. than it
eye seems when one looks at it
155
14. 'Of - phrases
apple of discord - the reason for disagreement
(be a) bed of roses - be nice, pleasant and enjoyable
can of worms - something that causes a lot of problems
freak of nature - something unusual that does not typically occur in nature
hive of activity - a place full of people who are busy working or doing
something
horse of a different colour - a matter or thing that is different from what one considers it
to be
load of (old) cobblers - someone's opinions that you reject; nonsense
(in this) neck of the woods - in a particular place or part of a country
quirk of fate - a strange occurrence that happens completely by chance
sleight of hand - skillful movements of hands when doing a magic trick;
tricks and lies used to deceive someone
slip of the tongue - a small mistake made when one is speaking
spot of bother - a reason for disagreement; a place where conflicts break
out often
(variety is the) spice of life - life is complete and more exciting if you have different
interests,experiences and do various activities
walk of life - someone's social or professional position
ward of court - an underage person who is under a legal protection of
court or a legal person
15. Multiple choice

argue the toss - continue to argue /disagree about smth that cannot be changed
bend sb's ear (about sth) - to talk to someone about your problems
bend/stretch the rules - allow to break the rules to some extent for some reason
break the deadlock - do something that helps achieve an agreement in a dispute etc.
bring the house down - make people enjoy a performance or a theatre play a lot
carry weight (with sb) - be important or influential to someone
cast aspersions on sb - make critical or rude remarks about someone
come in handy - become useful
cramp sb's style - limit someone's freedom to do what they want
fly in the face of - be opposite of something that is expected; not match expectations
follow suit - act in the same way as someone else
it stands to reason (that) - it is obvious/clear that...
know the ropes - know how to do a certain job, task etc.
lay sth waste - destroy completely, especially in a war
play tricks on sb - try to deceive someone
pour/heap scorn on bs/sth - criticize or run down someone or something
pull oneself together - stop being sorry for yourself and collect you thoughts to act in
a reasonable way
stand/hold one's ground - defend and not change your views /policies under sb's influence
strike a bargain (with sb) - reach an agreement (about a price), especially in business
take liberties (with sb/sth - act or treat sb/sth too freely; allow yourself too much freedom
with doing something
16. Definitions
156
17. Musical idioms
(be) as sound as a bell - be fit and healthy
bang/beat the drum for sb/sth - speak in support of someone or something
blow one's own trumpet - praise yourself, speak proudly about your skills, experiences etc.
dance to sb's tune - act in the way or do everything that someone wants you to
face the music - accept and deal with the unpleasant effects of one's wrong
actions
(buy sth) for a song - (buy sth) at a very low price
it takes two to tango - two people must share interests or feelings to make a good
couple or team
lead sb a (merry) dance - cause someone a lot of trouble or worry
play second fiddle - be of lower rank or importance than someone else
ring a bell - help sb remember something; sound familiar
strike/touch a chord (with sb) - do or say sth that influences someone or touches their feelings
strike/hit the right/wrong note - do or say sth that is suitable for a particular occasion
18. Colours
be tickled pink - be very pleased, happy or amused
bleed sb white/dry - take away all someone's money or possessions
a bolt from the blue - a sudden and surprising occurrence or piece of news
every cloud has a silver lining - in even the worst situation there is something hopeful
given sb the green light - allow someone to start doing something
(be) green about the gills - look like someone is going to be ill; look sick
(be) green with envy - be very jealous
grey area - a matter or area of subject that is not well known / clear
(sb's) grey matter - intelligence, common sense
hand sth to sb on a silver platter - give or offer something to someone without expecting
them to offer something in return or be thankful
(be sunk) in a brown study - be thinking very hard about something
(be) in the black - have money in your bank account
(be) in the pink - be in excellent condition and health
lend colour to sth - be a proof of something, make something look probable
like a red rag to a bull - likely to make someone angry
look black - look pessimistic, show no improvement
not as black as one is painted - not as bad as one is said to be
(feel) off colour - feel ill
once in a blue moon - very rarely
out of the blue - unexpectedly, suddenly
paint the town red - enjoy oneself in bars, clubs etc.
the red-carpet (ceremony/welcome) - an official / special welcome given to an important guest
red-letter day - a special or very important day
scream blue murder - scream loudly and make a lot of fuss because one is
very dissatisfied with something
see pink elephants - see things that do not exist when one is very drunk
see red - become very angry and violent
see the colour of sb's money - make sure that someone has enough money to pay you
for the thing(s) that they want to buy from you
(do sth) till one is blue in the face - do something with great effort and for a long time, but
achieve no success
whiter than white - morally clean, honest, decent
(be) yellow-bellied - cowardly, timid, shy
157
19. Paraphrases
20. Noun phrases


(be) blind drunk - very drunk
be bored stiff (with sth) - be very bored with something
be on easy street - live a comfortable and luxurious life without any worries
be thrown in at the deep end - be forced to do something that one is not experienced at
close shave - a situation in which a disaster or accident is only just
avoided
(be) dead beat - very tired
fall flat - fail to have the intended effect; fail to attract people's
attention
give sb/sth a short shrift - give sb/sth very little attention; treat with ignorance
hot air - impressive but empty promises
(be) in a tight corner - in a very dfifficult situation; in great trouble
(be) in full swing - at the busiest or most lively time; at the peak of activity
make a fresh start - start something from the very beginning
play one"s trump card - use one's advantage over someone, especially
unexpectedly
tell tall stories - say stories that are improbable and hard to believe
think big - make ambitious and optimistic plans for one's future
22. Comparisons
23 Clothing
beat the pants off sb (am) - beat or defeat sb in a competition
below the belt - unkind, unfair, unpleasant (remark, comment etc.)
catch sb with their pants down - surprise someone with something unpleasant when
they are not prepared for it
cut one's coat according to - do only what you can do on the money you possess
one's cloth
fill sb's boots/shoes - replace someone at work when they are out or away
get one's knickers in a twist - react to a situation in an angry or violent way
keep sth under one's hat - keep something secret
laugh up one's sleeve (at sb/sth) - be amused by something without showing it
pick sth out of hat - choose something by chance
put a sock in it - be quiet, stop making noise
put one's shirt on sth - bet or invest all one's money in something
(be) sb's strong suit - something that one is good, skilled or experienced at
tighten one's belt - start saving money and buying less than before
(be) too big for one's boots - consider oneself to be more important than one really is
wear the trousers - (in a marriage) be the spouse who rules in the house
158
24. Nature
(be) at a low ebb - not as good, successful or powerful as usual
come rain or (come) shine • no matter what happens
cost the earth - cost a lot of money
hold water - appear to be true
make a night of it - enjoy oneself all night
make heavy weather of (doing) sth - make something look more difficult than it really is
not see sb for dust - not see someone because they have left very
quickly
(be) over the moon - be happy and excited
put sth on ice - postpone doing smth, decide to do smth later
sail close to the wind - speak or behave in a way that may offend
someone
sell sb down the river - betray someone who trusts you; treat someone
unfairly
steal sb's thunder - spoil someone's surprise by doing it first
swim against the tide/stream - express opinions or act in a way that is different
from what is accepted by everybody else
take sb/sth by storm - be successful, attractive or enjoyable for a big
number of people; seize a building or place by a
quick attack
walk/float on air - be extremely happy about something
25. Food
bring home the bacon - be the person who earns money for a family; be
successful
have a second bite at the cherry - make another attempt at doing something
have got a finger in every pie - be involved in everything that is happening
(be) in the soup - be in trouble
know one's onions - have good knowledge of a particular subject or
activity
leave sb with egg on their face - make someone look stupid
live off/on the fat of the land - live an easy life because one has enough money
make a meal (out) of sth - make something look more important or difficult
than it really is
not give/care a fig for/about sb/sth - not care or be interested in\ something at all
sow one's wild oats - enjoy oneself before settling down and starting a
family
spill the beans - reveal something that should be kept secret
take sth with a pinch of salt - not take very seriously what someone says
take the biscuit - be more interesting, exciting, surprising, annoying
etc. than anything else
the proof of the pudding is in the - you can only estimate the true value of something
eating when you actually experience or try it
upset sb's apple cart - do something that ruins sb's hopes, plans etc.
159
26. Misprints
27. Pairs
black and blue - all covered with bruises
fair and square - in a fair and honest way; according to rules
hale and hearty - in good physical condition
(search) high and low (for sth) - search for sth in every possible place
hot and bothered -worried or annoyed
(the) long and short (of it) - the most important fact(s) of a situation
safe and sound - safe and unharmed
sick and tired (of sth) - very bored with something
(stay on the) straight and narrow - live an honest and moral life
(through) thick and thin - through good and bad times in life
28. Matching meanings


30. Choose the verb


(do sth) by the skin of sb's teeth - only just manage to do something, nearly fail
(be) down in the mouth - depressed, unhappy, sad
get cold feet - become nervous or afraid before doing something
have no stomach for sth - have no will or desire to do something
lend sb a hand (with doing sth) - help somebody do something
let one's hair down - get a lot of relax and enjoyment after hard work
make a good/bad fist of sth - make a good/bad job of doing something
make a clean breast of sth - admit that you have done something wrong
make sb's blood run cold - terrify someone, make someone very scared
(be) one in the eye for sb - a failure, defeat or disappointment for someone
poke/stick one's nose in/into - interfere in other people's affairs
pull/wear a long face - look sad, depressed or disappointed
send shivers down sb's spine - make someone feel fear
turn one's back on sb - stop supporting or offering your help to someone
wear one's heart on one's sleeve - show your emotions openly
160
32. Multiple choice
blow the gaff (sb/sth) - reveal a secret
call it quits - end an argument at the moment when both sides are equal
carry/win the day - win a competition, contest, bet, an argument etc.
(be on) common ground - have the same opinions about a particular subject
fit like a glove - fit perfectly, be the ideal size (clothes)
fly off the handle - become very angry (save/keep sth)
for a rainy day - for a bad time that may come in life
give sb the benefit of the doubt - believe or trust that someone is innocent or right
because you cannot prove that they are wrong or guilty of sth
have an axe to grind - have your own private reason for being involved in sth
have butterflies in one's stomach - be nervous or excited before doing something
have your knife in sb - consider someone your enemy and do harm to them
it's the done thing to ... - It's the socially accepted and correct to do something in a
particular way
keep a stiff upper lip - keep calm and not show emotions in a difficult situation
knock spots off sb - beat sb at sth, be much better than someone else
make sb's day - make someone happy and pleased
money for old rope - money earned in a very easy way that requires no effort
pin all one's hopes/faith on sb - believe or trust fully in someone
stand the test of time - be useful, valuable or interesting for a long time
stay put - stay in one place, not move or travel
the penny drops - understand the meaning or importance of something

34. Animals
a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush - it is much better to be happy with what
you have than risk losing it trying to get more
as dead as the dodo - extinct; not existing any more; very old-fashioned
buy a pig in a poke - buy something without examining its value first
flog a dead horse - waste time and effort trying to do something that is no longer
important or necessary
get sb's goat - make somebody angry
have (got) a bee in one's bonnet about sth - believe that sth is very important and think
or talk about it all the time
let sleeping dogs lie - avoid making a bad situation even worse
let the cat out of the bag - reveal a secret
(be) like water off a duck's back - have no effect on someone (criticism, ridicule etc.)
(the) lion's share (of) - the major share or part of something
make a monkey out of sb - make a fool of someone
smell a rat - suspect that something is wrong or that someone is trying to cheat you
take the bull by the horns - deal with a difficult problem or situation bravely
talk turkey - have a serious, detailed and meaningful discussion
till/until the cows come home - for a long time, very long
161

(be) beside oneself with sth - feel a strong emotion of a particular kind
cut it/things fine - allow just enough time to do something; be almost late
cut sb to the quick - offend someone, hurt someone's feelings
feel hard done - feel that you have been treated unfairly
fight shy of sb/(doing) sth - avoid meeting someone or doing something
get even with sb - harm someone in the same way as they have harmed you
know sb/sth backwards - know someone or something very well (from experience)
lay/hang heavy on sb - make someone feel uncomfortable or bad about something
lead sb astray - have negative influence on someone by encouraging them to do
something wrong or illegal
look askance at sb - look at someone in a way that shows disapproval or anger
make short work of doing sth - finish doing something very quickly
ring hollow/false/true/serious etc. - sound or seem hollow/false/true/serious etc.
run afoul of sb/sth - do something illegal or against other people's beliefs or standards
wear thin - be running out; become less interesting or enjoyable
(be/fall) wide of the mark - miss the point; be inaccurate or incorrect
37. - ING adjectives

breathing space - a time to relax between two jobs, tasks etc.
burning issue - a very important matter that needs to be solved
crashing bore - someone or something extremely boring
(put) finishing touches (to sth) - the final details before a work is complete
(in a) flaming temper - in a very bad and angry temper
hopping mad (about/over sth) - extremely mad or angry about something
piping hot - too hot to be eaten, very hot (be on/at the)
receiving end (of sth) - be the target of an unpleasant action (criticism, scorn etc.)
redeeming feature - one good or positive feature or aspect of something that in general
is bad or unacceptable
rolling stone - a person who often changes their places of living and working and has
few responsibilities, no friends etc.
shooting pains - continuous pains passing all over the body
sitting tennants - someone who lives in a rented flat or house and has a legal right to
stay there
(withing) striking distance (of sth) - near, not far away from, easy to reach
waking hours - the time when you are awake
working knowledge (of sth) - good practical knowledge of something
38. Three-letter words

162
39. True or False?
bare your soul (7) - tell someone your deepest feelings or secrets
beat about the bush (13) - avoid saying directly what you mean
bury the hatchet (6) - agree to be friends again and forget about the
past quarrels and conflicts
case the joint (12) - look around a building in order to plan a theft or
burglary
give sb a rocket (19) - criticize someone for something they have done
wrong
hold sb in the palm of your hand (10) - have someone fully under your control
make a name for yourself (17) - achieve success and popularity after great effort
put/lay your cards on the table (4) - start talking openly about your intentions and
plans
tilt at windmills (3) - waste time attacking enemies that do not really
exist
40. Of-phrases
a bone of contention - a reason for dispute or disagreement
a breach of confidence - the breaking of a promise
a bundle of nerves - someone who is very anxious, worried or nervous
the crack of dawn - the early hours of the morning
the dead of night - the quietest and darkest hours of the night
the fabric of society - the structure of a society (way of living, customs, traditions etc.)
a feat of endurance - an impressive achievement or display of endurance
a figment of sb's - something that exists only in someone's imagination
imagination
a flurry of excitement - the time of great excitement
a grain of truth - a small dose of truth
the heart of the matter - the most important central part of a matter, problem etc.
a lapse of memory - a short period of time when you cannot remember something
a pack of lies - a lot of lies, only lies
a ray of hope - a small hope that gives a chance of improvement
a stroke of luck/fortune - a lucky occurrence that you experience unexpectedly
41. Paraphrases

All that glitters is not gold - Not everything that at first appears to be attractive or
interesting is so when you look at it closer
Better the devil you know than the devil you don't - It's much better to deal with
someone or something unpleasant or difficult that you are already familiar with than with
someone or something that you don't know at all
Too many cooks spoil the broth - If too many people try to do the same thing at the
same time, it is likely that they will not do it well
The early bird catches the worm - The person who starts earlier or gets up earlier is
closer to achieving something or being more successful
First come, first served - Those who come before others, will be served / dealt with first
A fool and his money are soon parted - A foolish person spends his money quickly
and on useless things
163
What the eye does not see, the heart does not grieve over - If you do not see or find
out about something that might cause you a worry, you do not feel hurt by it
Give someone an inch and they will take a mile - A greedy or tricky person will want
more from you if you agree to their small request
Spare the rod and spoil the child - If you do not punish children for their bad behavior,
they will become even worse
When the going gets tough, the tough get going - Ambitious and determined people
will work even harder when a situation becomes difficult and requires more effort
If wishes were horses, beggars would ride - The fact that you wish for something,
does not mean that you will get it
Still waters run deep - Someone who may at first appear to be shy, timid, unaware etc.
may surprise you by acting bravely or knowing something at the right moment
43. Numbers
A chance in a million - an unlikely possibility, a very small chance
A stitch in time saves nine - if you react to a problem quickly, it will not develop into
something more difficult to deal with
(be) at one with sb - agree with someone about a particular question
(be) at sixes and sevens - be in a state of confusion, be disorganized
at the eleventh hour - at the last moment, almost too late
(be) dressed up to the nines - be wearing smart and formal clothes
have (got) a one-track mind - think continually only about one subject
(be) knocked for six - be completely surprised
look like a million dollars - look very good, attractive
nine days' wonder - someone or something that is attractive and attracts
a lot of attention, but only for a short time
(talk etc.) nineteen to the dozen - talk a lot and very fast
nine times out of ten - very often, almost always
(be) scattered to the four winds - be scattered to all corners of the world
(be) two/ten a penny - very cheap and common
two's company and three's a crowd - when two people have a date, they don't want to be
disturbed by somebody else
44. Adjectival & Adverbial

45. Nature
164
46. Multiple choice
catch a fleeting glimpse of sb/sth - see someone only for a very short time
do a good/bad job of a work - do something very well/badly
fly into a rage - become very angry, furious
get into gear - start working hard and effectively
give sb stick - criticize someone
have (got) the edge over sb - have advantage over someone
in your heart of hearts - in your deepest feelings
it's no skin of my nose - it's not my business, it does not affect me at all
meet the deadline - finish doing a job or task in a settled time
push one's luck - take more risk assuming that nothing wrong can happen
rolling in the aisles - laughing a lot
scream blue murder - make a lot of noise screaming loudly
set sb straight (about/on sth) - correct someone who has been wrong about something
stand a chance - have a real chance
stand still - stay in one place, not move, not make progress
stick/stand out a mile - be obvious or easy to notice
(be) the apple of sb's eye - a favourite, most loved person (usually a child)
the milk of human kindness - kind feelings or sympathetic behaviour
words fail me - / cannot express my feelings (because of anger, shock)
work wonders/miracles (for/on sb/sth)-have very good effect, function in a successful way

(be) a millstone (a)round sb's neck - smth that causes a continual worry / limits /freedom
be on sb's back - criticize or annoy someone very often
bring sb to heel - make someone change their behaviour for better
by word of mouth - by a spoken message/information
chance one's arm - take a high risk
gain/get the ear of sb - gain someone's attention and interest in your worries
get in sb's hair - annoy someone and prevent them from doing their duties
get one's fingers burnt - suffer from the result of one's bad action/decision etc.
get sth off one's chest - say openly what is bothering you and feel better
give sb the elbow - end a relationship with someone, stop dating someone
(would) give one's eye teeth for sth - would like to be or get something very much
(be) hot/hard on the heels of sb - be following someone closely in order to catch them
keep one's chin up - stay cheerful and optimistic despite of failure or worry
my knees were knocking - my knees were shaking because of stress or fear
near the knuckle - offensive, rude
not have a leg to stand on - not be able to prove one's statements
pay an arm and a leg for sth - pay a lot of money for something
pull one's finger out - start working hard and effectively
put a brave/bold face on sth - try to look brave /unaffected in a difficult / terrifying situation
put one's back into sth - start working hard
put one's best foot forward - work, try, run etc. as fast/hard/effectively as you can
stick one's neck out - attract attention by doing smth controversial that others are afraid to do
straight from the horse's mouth - (get information) directly from the person who is involved
in a particular situation
(tell sb) straight from the shoulder - tell someone something directly and honestly
with an eye to (doing sth) - with an intention to (doing sth)
165
49. Pairs of verbs

bow and scrape - be polite / kind to someone in order to win their attention and favour
chop and change - change your ideas, intentions, plans too often
come and go - be or exist for some time and then leave or stop existing
grin and bear it - accept something unpleasant without complaining
huff and puff - breathe heavily; show that you are annoyed about something
live and breathe sth - be very fond of something; be enthusiastic about something
urn and aah (about sth) - speak about unimportant things in order to gain time for consideration
wheel and deal - do tricky or dishonest dealings in business
wine and dine sb - entertain and serve someone well in a restaurant, pub etc.
you live and learn - you learn from experience and the mistakes you make
50. Clothing
at the drop of a hat - at once, immediately
be bursting at the seams - be full, be packed to the full
be tied to your mother's apron strings - be too much under the influence of your mother
(fly) by the seat of one's pants - act without careful preparation and planning hoping
that one will achieve one's goals
give a shirt off one's back - give everything that one has to someone who is in need of help
have (got) ants in one's pants - be unable to stand still or stay in one place because
of excitement or nervousness
if I were in your shoes - if I were in your situation/position
knock/blow sb's socks off - surprise or impress someone very much
lick sb's boots - try to win someone's favour by being too kind or submissive to them
line your own/one's pocket - earn money dishonestly by stealing it from your employer
money burns a hole in sb's pocket - someone spends money too quickly and without
careful planning
old hat - something old and not interesting any more
pop one's clogs (humorous) - die
pull oneself up by one's own bootstraps - get oneself out of trouble by oneself without
anybody else's help
put one's thinking cap on - start thinking hard to find a solution to a problem
51. Noun phrases

(live) below the poverty line - live a very poor life, not have enough money to survive
elbow room - enough freedom to do something; enough space to move in
flash point - a place where sudden outbreaks of fighting or violence are common
for donkey's years - for a very long time
hatchet man - someone whose job is to introduce radical changes in a company
home truth - an honest critical remark
make sheep's eyes at sb - look at someone in a way that shows one's affection toward them
He who hesitates is lost - If you hesitate or delay doing something for too long, you may
lose a good chance
If you throw enough mud, some of it will stick - People will remember the bad things
that they hear about someone even if it is not true
166
It never rains, but it pours - Whenever one thing goes wrong, all the others go wrong, too
(the) rat race - a continuous and stressful competition for success among young
ambitious workers
sea dog - an experienced sailor who has spent most of his life sailing
stage fright - anxiety or fear before doing something the first time or performing in
front of a larger public
52. Dialogues with sayings

Never look a gift horse in the mouth - You should not complain about something that
you have been given for free or as a present
The blind leading the blind - A person who has no experience in a subject tries to help
or instruct another person how to do something
The devil looks after his own - Bad people always seem to have more good luck than
good people
The end justifies the means - If an action brings a positive result, then even wrong or
illegal methods of achieving it can be justified and accepted
There's more than one way to skin a cat - There is more than one method of doing
something
There's no accounting for taste(s) - It's natural that different people have different likes
and dislikes
You can't teach an old dog new tricks - You can't change an older person's habits or
ways of doing something

54. Misprints
be given the chop - be dismissed from work
draw a blank - fail to find something that one is looking for
feather one's (own) nest - satisfy one's own needs with the money that should be spent
on something else
get down to brass tacks - start dealing with the important details of a matter
give sth a miss - decide to avoid (doing) something
haul sb over the coals - criticize someone strongly
have (got) the guts to do sth - have enough courage to do something
lead sb by the nose - control someone, have someone do what you want
leave no stone unturned - try to find something in all possible places and by all means
(can't) make head or tail of sth - not be able to understand something
put one's foot down - use your authority to make someone stop doing something
rock the boat - cause problems, upset a situation
stir sb's blood - make someone excited or happy
suit sb's book - be useful or convenient for someone
wait for the dust to settle - wait for a situation to calm down or become clear
55. Combinations
167
56. Animals & Nature
a storm in a teacup - a small problem that one treats as
something very serious
be dressed up like a dog's dinner - look silly in the clothes that one is wearing
because they are too formal for a particular
occasion
between the devil and the deep blue sea - in a situation where you only have a choice
between equally bad things
break the ice - make a meeting or a party less formal and
tense
(come) hell or high water - no matter what difficulties one has to face
cry wolf - repeatedly warn people against a danger
than does not exist and in this way make them
less responsive to a real danger
have (got) a frog in one's throat - be unable to speak clearly because of a
problem with one's throat
have (got) other/bigger fish to fry - have other, more important things to do
monkey business - dishonest or foolish behaviour
put sb/sth in the shade - be hotter, more successful or important than
sb/sth
reach for the stars - try to achieve something very difficult or
impossible
run sb to ground/earth - find sb/sth after a long / exhausting search
set/put the cat among the pigeons - do something that will cause trouble
take the wind out of sb's sails - make someone less confident or eager by
doing or saying something that they do not
expect
turn turtle - (of a boat) turn upside down
57. Of - phrases
a bag of bones - someone who is very thin
a bundle/bag of nerves - someone who is very nervous or irritated
a debt of gratitude - a favour that you have to do to someone for something good they
have done to you
a different kettle of fish - someone or something completely different from sb or sth else
a mark of respect - a sign of respect
a mine of information - someone who knows a lot about a particular subject
a quirk of fate - a strange occurrence
a rule of thumb - a practical and quick but not exact way of measuring or calculating
something
a stroke of genius - a sudden brilliant idea that helps find a solution to a problem
at the drop of a hat - immediately, without hesitating
have a whale of a time - have a very good time, enjoy oneself very much
in the prime of sb's life - in the best, most successful years of someone's life
(take your) pound of flesh - take or demand something that someone owes you in full
the apple of sb's eye - someone's favourite person, usually a child
the tricks of the trade - the profound knowledge or clever methods of doing one's job
168
58. Various idioms
a chip off the old block - someone who is like one of their parents in appearance/ character
cut the cackle - stop talking and start working hard
find a happy medium between - find a balance between two extreme situations
(not) get a word in edgeways - (not) be able to say something because someone else keeps
talking too long and too much
give sb/sth short shrift - give someone or something very little attention
gone for a burton - lost, damaged, destroyed
leave sb in the lurch - leave someone who is in a difficult situation and needs help
(be) on the sidelines - waiting and not taking active part in something
overstep the mark/line - go beyond the limit of what is acceptable or tactful
(be) quick/fast on the draw - tie ready to react quickly to what is happening
rule the roost - be the one who is in control of a group of people, family etc.
speak volumes for/about sb/sth - express or prove the nature of things
take the mickey out of sb/sth - make fun of/laugh at someone or something
take umbrage at sth - feel offended or mad at something
under the aegis of - with the support from an organization or group
60. Similar meanings

1 fly off the handle - get very angry
shoot your bolt - make a final, but too early attempt at achieving or doing something
blow a fuse - get very angry
2 follow your nose - act in a way that you feel is reasonable and appropriate
take sb for a ride - cheat or deceive someone
pull a fast one (on sb) - cheat someone in order to get money out of them
3 lead the field - be more successful or better at something than someone else
make it big - be very successful
give sb a pasting - beat someone easily; criticize someone strongly
4 be dead from the neck up - be very stupid
have a thick head - suffer from headache because of illness or alcohol overdose
have nothing between your ears - be stupid
5 pick up the threads - start something again, after a break
start from scratch - start from the very beginning
rise to the bait - react to something in the way that someone expects you to
6 cook the books - change company figures in order to steal money from it
have your fingers in the till - steal money from the place of your work
throw good money after bad - spend more money in an attempt to get back the money
that you have lost earlier
7 jump on the bandwagon - start doing the same attractive thing that others are already doing
kick the bucket - die (humorous)
bite the dust - die (humorous)
8 be in fine fettle - be healthy and full of life
be in the pink - be perfectly healthy
be under the weather - be slightly depressed, sad, ill, disturbed
9 call the tune - be in control
play the game - behave in a fair and honest way
run the show - control or supervise a project, plan, department etc.
169
10 keep up appearances - hide the truth about one's problems and pretend that nothing's wrong
keep body and soul together - stay alive
keep the wolf from the door - earn enough money to pay for basic things like food, rent etc.
11 pull a long face - look sad, depressed or disappointed
be down in the mouth - be depressed and unhappy
be at odds - be in disagreement
12 be in the family way - be pregnant
be at rock bottom - be at the lowest possible level
be in the club - be pregnant

at close quarters - within a short distance, not faraway
at full blast - at a great speed, with great noise, power etc.
be in sb's good books - have someone's approval or favour
be no great shakes - be not good, suitable or attractive
get a fair crack of the whip - have a fair opportunity to do something
(be) in a tight corner - in a very difficult situation, in trouble
(be) in full bloom - blooming
(be) in high dudgeon - in a bad, angry and irritated mood
lead /have a charmed life - have a lot of good luck in one's life
it's a safe bet that - It's sure, very likely, highly probable
make a common cause against sb - (of 2 groups) work together to achieve mutual goals
off the beaten track - in a distant place, far away from a living area
(be) of the first water - be of the best quality
(buy sth) on easy terms - buy something without paying the whole price at once, but
with small regular payments
take a dim view of sb/sth - disapprove or dislike someone or something

bury the hatchet - agree to forget the former arguments and be friends again
cut a fine figure - have a fine and attractive appearance
do sb the world/power of good - benefit someone in a great way
drive a wedge between sb - make two people dislike or misunderstand each other
get one's wires/lines crossed - misunderstand each other
give sb a piece of your mind - criticize or reprimand someone angrily
go the whole hog - do something fully instead of doing only a part of it
hit the road - start a journey
hold no brief for sth - disapprove of sth, not be in favour of sth
knock sb off their perch/pedestal - show someone that they are not so important or attractive
as they consider themselves to be
laugh sb/sth out of court - consider sb/sth to be silly or not worth much attention
lock horns (with sb over sth) - quarrel or fight with someone
stand sb in good stead - be useful or beneficial to someone
stretch a point - allow someone to break rules because there is a good
reason for it
take sth on board - accept or consider a suggestion, idea etc.
when it comes to the crunch - when the moment to do something about a difficult
situation comes, when one has to decide what to do
170
63. Adjectival & Adverbial pairs
above and beyond - more than expected, needed etc.
all and sundry - everyone, various kinds of people
betwixt and between - neither one nor the other, between two situations
bright and breezy - happy and confident
cool, calm and collected - calm, not excited, undisturbed
fair and square - completely and fully; in an honest way, without cheating
few and far between - not very frequent, rare
high and dry - in trouble, having no money or support
hot and bothered - worried and anxious
null and void - no longer valid, not effective
play fast and loose with sb - treat someone unfairly without respect
prim and proper - well-behaved, easily shocked by something rude
rough and ready - impolite, disrespectful; prepared quickly and not thoroughly
thick and fast - quickly and in great numbers or amounts
well and truly - completely
64. Of - phrases
a bundle/barrel of laughs - something funny and amusing
a creature of habit - someone who has firm habits and does certain things regularly
a new lease of life - a great improvement in sb's health
a stream of abuse - continuous series of offensive words
breach of the peace - the crime of fighting or behaving too noisily in a public place
flights of fancy - not sensible, unreal, imaginary ideas
in the lap of luxury - enjoying the comforts of being rich
in the nick of time - just in time, at the last moment
on the horns of a dilemma - being in a difficult situation when one has to choose between
two equally unpleasant solutions
(do sth) on the spur of the - do something immediately when one gets the idea,
moment without thinking or planning
the bane of sb’s life/existence - someone or something that makes your life unhappy
the germ of a concept/idea - the early first stage of an idea or plan
the root cause of all evil - the basic cause of everything that is bad in the world
the scum of the earth - someone who is bad, behaves in a wrong way has no
respect for anything and no good qualities
turn of phrase - an extraordinary way of speaking or expressing ideas
65. Multiple choice

beg the question of - make sb feel the need to ask a particular question
cut/break loose from sb - separate oneself from a group of people and their
influence
do one's level best to do sth - try to do something as hard as one can
eat one's heart out for sb/sth - be depressed and unhappy because one cannot get
what one wants very much
gain ground - become more popular, acceptable and recognized
get scared out of one's wits - get very frightened
lie/hang heavy on sb - make someone feel uncomfortable or disturbed
171
my heart was in my mouth - I was very frightened/anxious
(buy sth) on a whim -on a sudden feeling that one wants to have something
although there is no need or reason for it
on second thoughts - after reconsidering smth and changing your opinion
reap a good harvest - benefit from something very well
send sb packing - dismiss someone from a job; tell someone firmly to
leave
stay/be one jump ahead of sb/sth - keep an advantage over someone by doing something
before they manage to do it
steal the show - attract more attention than somebody else
strike/sound a note of - express an opinion of a particular kind
take a firm line against/on sth - be determined to make people act in the way you want it
take leave of one's senses - behave in a silly way or as if one is mad
whet sb's appetite - make sb hungry; make sb want sth very much

67. Paraphrases
68. Animals
a different animal - sb/sth different from sb/sth else
a leopard cannot change its spots - a person cannot change his/her character easily
as sick as a parrot - very disappointed
as the crow flies - in a straight line
be no use/good to man or beast - be completely useless
bird of passage - someone who often changes their places of stay
cock and bull story - a story or explanation that is completely incredible
cook sb's goose - ruin someone's plans, hopes or chances
cry crocodile tears - show insincere sadness, sorrow or pity for sb
eager beaver - someone who is very keen on their work
(feel) like a fish out of water - feel uncomfortable or embarrassed in a new place
or among people that one does not know
mutton dressed as a lamb - an elderly woman who tries to look younger or
modern by wearing extravagant clothes
no room to swing a cat - not enough free space, very little space
not have a dog's chance to do sth - have no chance at all to do sth
pigs might fly - impossible things will never happen
put the cart before the horse - do things in the wrong order
run with the hare and hunt with the hounds - try to be friendly with both sides of a conflict
send sb off/away with a flea in their ear - reject or refuse someone's request angrily
sort out the sheep from the goats - separate the good people from the bad ones
take to sth like a duck to water - learn or cope with something without effort
the early bird catches the worm - in order to achieve or get something one has to
get up or do something before others
the (last) straw that breaks the camel's - be the last in a series of bad events that makes
back someone stop accepting a situation
the world is your oyster - you are free to do whatever you want
when the cat's away, the mice will play - when the person in charge is not around, people
act more freely or do not work so hard
172
69. Names and surnames
any Tom, Dick and/or Harry - an ordinary, plain person, not anybody special
before you can say Jack Robinson - very quickly
(and) Bob's your uncle - it's as easy as that you can see how easy sth is
clever Dick - someone who thinks that he is always right or
knows everything better
for Pete's sake - you say this to show that you are irritated or impatient
have the Midas touch - be skilled in business and making money
Joe Bloggs - an average, ordinary member of a society
keep up with the Joneses - try to live on the same social level, have the same
things and possessions as your neighbours have
Pandora's box - something that may suddenly cause a lot of trouble
Peeping Tom - someone who likes to watch other people
secretly especially when they are naked
plain Jane - a woman or girl who is not very attractive
rob Peter to pay Paul - take money from someone to give it to someone else
the Old Bill - the police
the real McCoy - the original and best kind or example of smth
Uncle Sam - the United States of America (humorous)
70. Nature
(be) a shadow/ghost of one's former self - have much less health, power or influence
than one used to have before
cut no ice with sb - not affect or impress someone
give sb hell - reprimand sb angrily; make sb's life hard
give sth a whirl - try (doing) something to see if it is fun or
interesting
have (got) one's head in the clouds - be unable to think in a realistic way; be a
dreamer
(be) in a fog (about/over sth) - be confused or unaware of something
keep a weather eye open for sth - observe sth carefully in order to react quickly
(look) like nothing on earth - (look) ill or unattractive
move heaven and earth to do sth - do everything one can in order to achieve sth
pluck sth out of the air - give a quick and not accurate answer to a
question without thinking about it first
praise sb/sth to the skies - praise sb/sth very much, admire sb/sth
put the wind up sb - make sb feel uneasy or afraid of something
71. Cartoons
72. Definitions
173
73. Dialogues
cut sth short - interrupt slh, terminate sth before its normal end
cut up rough - behave or react angrily or violently
go it alone - decide to do sth difficult without anybody's support
have a down on sb - dislike someone, have a low opinion of someone
have a thin time (of it) - have a hard time in business
lay sb low - (of an illness) make sb stay in bed
make oneself scarce - leave a place quickly in order to avoid trouble or
embarrassment
play (it) safe - do something in a safe way, avoid danger
drive a hard bargain - always try to gain advantage or better profit in business
dealings
drive sb up the wall - drive sb crazy, make sb very angry
get a rise out of sb - say something that makes someone react angrily
get wind of sth - hear something secret or private
go (like) a bomb - be very successful and enjoyable
go to town over/on sth - get a lot of entertainment in clubs, pubs, restaurants etc.
hit the spot - be exactly the thing that one wants or needs
if push comes to shove - if there is no other choice, if everything else has failed
in/at one fell swoop - all at the same time; with one single action or movement
jump out of one's skin - get suddenly frightened
keep the flag flying - continue to support sth or sb that is losing strength,
popularity etc.
lay it on the line - state or explain something in a Firm, honest and direct
way
leave sb cold - fail to affect or interest someone
make no odds to sb - be unimportant to someone
not know sb from Adam - not know someone at all
pull rank on sb - use one's position of authority in an unfair way
put one's foot in it - unintentionally say something offensive or embarrassing
(be) rotten to the core - be spoilt very much
set sb's mind at rest/ease - make someone stop worrying, make someone calm down
when the chips are down - when steps must be taken immediately
75. Of - phrases
174
at a (fair) lick - very fast, at a high speed
at full tilt - with great speed, power etc.
at loggerheads with sb - arguing strongly with someone
by fair means or foul - using all possible methods, even the unfair ones
by hook or by crook - by any method, honest or not
down in the dumps - depressed, miserable, worried
for two pins - even though something that you want to do might not be
sensible
in a cold sweat - anxious, worried or very scared
in cahoots with sb - planning in collaboration with someone to do something
wrong
in lieu of sth - instead of something
in sb's good books - in someone's favour
off one's own bat - upon your own decision, without anybody else's
encouragement
on the skids - falling into ruin, declining, facing a disaster
out of one's depth - unable to deal with a difficult situation
(have sb) over a barrel - have someone under control and do what you tell them to

Actions speak louder than words - What you do is more important than what you say
Beauty is only skin deep - Someone's physical appearance does not tell much about
their character or intelligence
Charity begins at home - You should take care of your own family before you start
helping other people
Curiosity killed the cat - It is impolite to ask someone too many private questions
Familiarity breeds contempt - You have little respect or warm feelings for someone that
you know well or for a long time
Fortune favours the brave - If you are brave and do not fear taking risks, you are more
likely to succeed in something
Hope springs eternal - There is always hope, no matter how bad a situation may be
Ignorance is bliss - You do not need to worry about something that you do not know about
Love is blind - If you are in love with someone, you are unable to see the person's faults
Necessity is the mother of invention - Being in a difficult situation makes you think hard
about a workable solution
Practice makes perfect - The more you practice something, the better you are at it
Prevention is better than cure - It is much better to prevent something bad from
happening than to have to deal with the consequences it may cause
Pride comes before a fall - Being too proud or confident may lead to your failure
Truth is stranger than fiction - Sometimes the things that happen in reality are stranger
than invented stones
Variety is the spice of life - You have to try doing different things, meet different people
or have experiences of various kinds to enjoy or know life fully
175
be a dab hand at (doing) sth - be very good and experienced at doing something
be at a loose end - have nothing to do
be stony broke - have no money at all
foregone conclusion - a conclusion or result that is easy to predict
foreign body - a piece of something that gets inside the eye, body
etc. and causes a discomfort
get cold feet - get scared before doing something
give sb a bumpy ride - freaf someone badly make someone's life hard
have a vested interest in sth -have a private reason fordoing something or making
something happen
in mint condition - in perfect condition, as good as new
inside job - a conspiracy or a wrongdoing that was committed by
someone who is involved in an organization or a
business
not by a long chalk - not at all
odd jobs - small jobs of various kinds like repairs etc, made at
home
rough diamond - someone who does not seem to be well-educated or
erudite, but has in fact many good qualities
soft soap - nice words of encouragement or praise said to
someone to make them do something
wishful thinking - a belief that something that you expect will happen,
but in fact is very unlikely
79. Choose the word

a chink in sb's armour - a weakness in someone's idea, reasoning, idea, character
etc.
add fuel to the fire/flames - make a bad situation even worse by doing something wrong
(be) broad in the beam - have wide hips
cannot hold a candle to sb/sth - not be as good as someone or something else
come/go full circle - return to the starting point after futile effort or series of
attempts
come out of the closet - admit openly something that one has kept secret for a long
time
let/get sb off the hook - help someone avoid punishment
like getting blood out of/from a - very difficult to obtain or get
stone
more than you can shake a stick at - there's a lot of something in a place
(be) near the mark - almost correct or right
not do a hand's turn - do no work at all
pour oil on troubled water(s) - do something that helps end a disagreement or calm
a tense situation
prime the pump - give someone or an organization financial help to start
a business, project, scheme etc.
rule/throw sth out of court - reject, exclude or consider something not worth paying
attention to
take up the gauntlet - accept someone's challenge to compete or fight
176
(build) castles in the air - (have) unreal hopes, plans
feel the pinch - be under pressure because one has not enough
money to live on
give sb the slip - avoid meeting someone or escape from someone
go overboard about/for sth - be extremely excited about doing something
have (got) sb's number - understand or know well someone's character or way
of thinking
have one last fling - enjoy oneself for the last time before leaving, starting
work etc.
keep one's powder dry - be ready to react to a danger / an emergency situation
keep one's wits about one - be ready to act or think quickly in a dangerous
situation
make light of sth - treat or consider something as if it is less serious or
dangerous than it is in reality
make the grade - achieve a success or a high standard in an exam,
work, effort etc.
paddle one's own canoe - be independent and need no support from anyone
pull one's punches - use less criticism or not many strong words to avoid
offending or upsetting someone
put one's own house in order - improve one's own behavior or make order in one's
own life before one starts to criticize other people
run the gamut of sth - experience, use, take advantage etc. of a wide range
of things
set/put the record straight - correct someone's mistaken way of thinking by giving
them the right version of events, facts, story etc.
81. Choose the verb


1 put your shoulder to the wheel - start working hard, get down to work
have a chip on your shoulder - be very sensitive about something that happened in
the past and get offended when someone mentions it
give sb the cold shoulder - treat someone in an unfriendly, cold or unfair way
2 have a sharp tongue - speak in an unpleasant, rude or offensive manner
bite your tongue - refrain from saying something that might upset someone
say sth with your tongue in - say something that is intended to be a joke
your cheek
3 work your fingers to the bone - work very hard
have got a bone to pick with sb - have got a reason to complain to someone about
be as dry as a bone - be completely dry
4 not lift your finger to do sth - do nothing at all, make no effort
keep your finger on the pulse - be well informed and aware of what is happening
wrap sb around your little finger - have complete influence on someone, control
someone
177
5 let your hair down - have a rest and enjoyment after a period of hard work
tear your hair out - be worried, upset or angry
make sb's hair stand on end - make someone very scared, nervous or shocked
be up to your neck in sth - have a lot of things to do, be deeply involved in
6
something
breathe down sb's neck - make sb feel uncomfortable by watching them too
closely
stick your neck out - do something risky or controversial that other people
are afraid to do and attract attention because of this
7 do sb's heart good - make someone happy, give someone hope, joy etc.
feel sick at heart - be very unhappy or disappointed
do sth with a sinking heart - do something with fear or sorrow
8 work hand in glove with sb - work or plan smth (bad) in close association with sb
bite the hand that feeds you - be disloyal or unpleasant to someone who treats you
well and gives you financial support
show your hand - do something that reveals your intentions or plans
9 fly in the face of sth - be the opposite of something that is expected
laugh in sb's face - show clearly that you have no respect for someone
set your face against sth - strongly object to something, refuse to accept
something
10 do sth in the teeth of risk/danger - do something even though it is risky or dangerous
lie through your teeth - tell lies although everyone knows that you are lying
get your teeth into sth - do something with enthusiasm and a lot of effort
11 put your best foot forward - do sth as well as you can, show your best qualities
get your foot in the door - gain acceptance in a group, company, organization
have get one foot in the grave - be old or very ill and quite likely to die soon
live from hand to mouth - spend all the money that you earn on the basic things
12
and not be able to save any money
put your head in the lion's mouth - deliberately put yourself in a dangerous situation
be all mouth and no trousers - talk a lot about doing something, but be too afraid to
do it in reality
13 play your cards close to your chest - keep your plans or intentions secret
get sth off your chest - speak openly about something that has been worrying you
for a long time and feel better because you have done it
put hairs on your chest - make someone feel strong (usually about alcohol )
bury your head in the sand - refuse to face or deal with something unpleasant by
14
pretending that it does not exist
give sb their head - give someone the freedom to do what they want
be banging your head against a - try for a long time to achieve something, but keep
brick wall failing to do so
Rozwiązanie krzyżówki: (be) long in the tooth - (be) very old
178
83. Compounds domino
84. Missing letters


(be) at cross purposes - misunderstand what someone is trying to say or do
(be) at daggers drawn with sb - be ready to argue or fight with someone
at/on the double - very quickly, at once
at sb's bidding - at someone's order, because someone has told you to do so
come on stream - (of a machine/factory etc.) start working, producing etc.
for kicks - (of sth wrong) for fun, pleasure or excitement
go round the bend - become crazy
in full swing - at the busiest, most lively or highest time
in the bosom of sb/sth - protected or surrounded by someone or something
in the pipeline - being planned, intended, developed, but not in operation yet
keep sth under wraps - keep something secret or hidden
off the record - said unofficially, not to be spread to the public
(be) on one's guard - be ready to react to or deal with a difficulty, danger etc.
on the cheap - (of lower quality goods) for less than the normal price, cheaply
under the heel of sb - dominated by someone, under someone's total control


88. Pairs
be meat and drink to sb - be something that someone is very interested in or likes a lot
(not) be all beer and skittles - have both pleasant and unpleasant aspects
be raining cats and dogs - be raining heavily
cost an arm and a leg - cost a lot of money
eat sb out of house and home - eat all the food that someone has in the house
give oneself airs and graces - behave in a formal and elegant, but not natural way
in order to impress someone
go at sb/sth hammer and tongs - argue, fight or do smth with a lot of noise and power
go through fire and water (to do sth) - go through difficulties and dangers in order to
achieve something
hustle and bustle - an activity with a lot of excitement and rush
(look for sth) in every nook and cranny - (look for sth) all over a place, everywhere
know all the ins and outs of sth - know all the details, procedures or facts of something
odds and ends/sods - small invaluable items of various kinds
throw oneself heart and soul into sth - start to do something with a lot of enthusiasm
wait on sb hand and foot - do everything for someone, especially in the house
without care and attention - without being careful, cautious and attentive
179
Accidents will happen - you say this when a small accident happens to you or
someone does something wrong, in this way you express an excuse or say that nothing
serious has occurred
A new broom sweeps clean - a new person in a company can see things in a different
light and is more likely to introduce good changes
A trouble shared is a trouble halved - if you tell someone what is bothering you, you
start to feel better because you know that someone may help you
Better (to be) safe than sorry - it's much better to be too careful than to act rashly and
do something that you will regret
Let sleeping dogs lie - it's better not to disturb a situation or mention something that
may cause trouble or upset someone
One swallow does not make a summer - a small sign of change or success does not
guarantee greater changes or successes in the future
The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence - people always think that
things or life is better in some other place
There's no smoke without fire - if you hear many opinions about something from
many people, you may be sure that some of them are true
There's one born every minute - you use this saying to state that someone is stupid
The road to hell is paved with good intentions - it is not enough to have good
intentions, you should actually put them into practice
Waste not, want not - do not waste your food, money etc. and you will have it when you need it
You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink - you can give someone an
opportunity or make something easy for them, but you cannot force them to take advantage of it
90. Choose the meaning Znaczenia zwrotów i idiomów zostały wyjaśnione w ćwiczeniu.
91. - ING adjectives Znaczenia zwrotów i idiomów zostały wyjaśnione w ćwiczeniu.
92. Paraphrases Znaczenia zwrotów i idiomów zostały wyjaśnione w ćwiczeniu.
93. Multiple choice

air one's grievances - express one's protests or complaints publicly
be down on one's luck - be short of money because of bad luck
be dressed to kill - (of a woman) be dressed in one's best clothes
be in deadly earnest about sth - speak seriously and in an honest way about something
be shaking in one's shoes/boots - be very worried, anxious or scared
bode ill/well for sb - be a bad/good sign for someone
by way of sth - as a kind or way of something, in a form of
fall on hard times - suddenly become poor
get on one's high horse - get annoyed because of being disrespected by someone
give a good/bad account of oneself - perform or do something in a good/bad way
in the fullness of time - when enough time has passed
keep one's end up - remain cheerful and optimistic in a bad situation
make/go down in history - do something important that will be recorded in history
not have the foggiest idea - have no idea at all
throw one's weight about/around - take advantage of a position of authority in order to
achieve one's own goals
to top/crown it all - as the last and at the same time the worst thing of all of that one has
mentioned before
180
94. Misprints
95. Miscellaneous phrases

a dumping ground - a place where waste and useless things are stored
(be) an old hand at (doing) sth - someone who is experienced at doing something
be (caught) in a cleft stick - be in a difficult situation to which there's no easy solution
be streets ahead of sb/sth - be much better that someone or something else
feel honour bound to do sth - feel the moral need to do something
(just) for the hell of it - for no important reason, just for fun
give sb a raw deal - treat someone unfairly
manna from heaven - unexpected help or gift of money that one receives at the time
when one really needs it
there's no love lost between sb - there's no friendship between some people
not have a snowball's chance in hell - have no chance at all
reach/hit rock bottom - reach the lowest possible level of something
the other side of the coin - another aspect or way of seeing a situation
(have) the rub of the green - (have) a lot of luck, especially in sports competition
(sb's) true colours - someone's real character
with bated breath - almost unable to breathe because of anxiety, excitement, fear etc.
96. Prepositional phrases Znaczenia zwrotów i idiomów zostały wyjaśnione w ćwiczeniu.
97. Adjective + Noun Znaczenia zwrotów i idiomów zostały wyjaśnione w ćwiczeniu.
98. Various idioms

DOWN
blow the whistle on sb/sth - stop or prevent someone from doing something wrong
by notifying a person in authority of it
come up/rise through the ranks - reach a high position in one's career after starting from
the low level
fly by the seat of one's pants - act spontaneously without thinking or planning one's
actions in advance
go bust - go bankrupt, turn into a financial failure
go/fly off at a tangent - suddenly change the topic one is talking about into
something different
in the first flush of enthusiasm - when something is new and attracts much attention
mend one's ways - improve one's behaviour, way of living etc.
(be) not the only pebble on the beach - be not the only person to be taken into consideration
(be) on the rack - (be) in stress, anxiety, pain, fear etc.
(be/feel/look) out of sorts - (be/feel/look) ill, nervous, upset
pile on the agony - make a bad situation look much worse than it really is
because one hopes to gain people's sympathy
put one's thinking cap on - start thinking hard to find a solution to a problem
181
ACROSS
be poles/worlds apart - have different interests, opinions, points of view etc.
carry the can for sb - accept someone's blame or responsibility for something
draw the short straw - be chosen to do something unpleasant that nobody else
wants to do
fall by the wayside - start to act dishonestly or morally wrong; be unable to
continue doing something that requires effort
jump the gun - start doing something too quickly, before the right time
know sth off pat - know or be able to do something very well because one
has known or done it for a long time
more by accident than design - more by coincidence than a planned action
play/wreak havoc with sth - cause damage, ruin, disruption to something
separate the wheat from the chaff - separate the good things or people from the bad ones
stand on ceremony - behave according to formal rules
take up the cudgels for sb/sth - start to support or defend someone or something
tar sb with the same brush - unfairly consider a whole group of people or things to be
bad or wrong because one has had a bad experience
with one of them
walk tall - feel very proud
99. Parts of the body Znaczenia zwrotów i idiomów zostały wyjaśnione w ćwiczeniu.
100. Comparisons Znaczenia zwrotów i idiomów zostały wyjaśnione w ćwiczeniu.
101. Proverbs & Sayings Znaczenia zwrotów i idiomów zostały wyjaśnione w ćwiczeniu.
102. Definitions with verbs Znaczenia zwrotów i idiomów zostały wyjaśnione w ćwiczeniu.

be struck dumb (with sth) - be unable to speak because of fear, shock, surprise etc.
cost sb dear - cause problems to someone, bring bad effects to someone
do sb proud - look after someone who is your guest as well as you can
get a thick ear - get hit on the side of one's head as a form of punishment
get one's just deserts - get what one deserves, especially punishment, penalty etc.
go easy on sb - give someone only a light punishment for something wrong that they have done
hold good/true - be true, correct, valid etc.
lay sb low - (of an illness) cause someone to stay in bed
make sb's blood run cold - frighten someone strongly
pull a fast one on sb - cheat or tell lies to someone in order to get their money or
some possessions
run/work/drive etc. flat out - run/work/drive etc. very fast or with great effort and strength
sell sb short - cheat someone by giving them less or worse quality goods than they have paid for
take a (hard/bad etc.) knock - undergo a hard experience, be made to suffer; be ruined
take the rough with the smooth - accept both the pleasant and unpleasant aspects of something
turn/go sour - become less good, nice, pleasant, enjoyable etc.
104. Compounds Znaczenia zwrotów i idiomów zostały wyjaśnione w ćwiczeniu.
105. Cartoons Znaczenia zwrotów i idiomów zostały wyjaśnione w ćwiczeniu.
182

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O: 1. Noun + Noun

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ANSWER KEY

3. Choose the noun

4. Guess the meaning

5. Mind, head or brain?

9. Choose the idiom

10. -ING adjectives

11. Prepositional phrases

12. Choose the verb

15. Multiple choice

17. Musical idioms

20. Noun phrases

21. Adjectival phrases

28. Matching meanings

29. Guess the meaning

30 Choose the verb

32. Multiple choice

33. Guess the meaning

35. Prepositional phrases

36. Adjectives & Adverbs

37. -ING adjectives

39. True or False?

42. Proverbs & Sayings

44. Adjectival & Adverbial

46. Multiple choice

47. Parts of the body

48. Guess the meaning

51. Noun phrases

52. Dialogues with sayings

53. Prepositional phrases

62. Reshuffled letters

63. Adjectival & Adverbial pairs

65. Multiple choice

66. Proverbs & Sayings

69. Names and surnames

74. Four-letter words

76. Prepositional phrases

77. Proverbs & Sayings

79. Choose the word

80. Reshuffled letters

81. Choose the verb

82. Parts of the body

83. Compounds domino

84. Missing letters

85. Prepositional phrases

86. Guess the meaning

87. Adjective + Noun

90. Choose the meaning

91. -ING adjectives

93. Multiple choice

95. Miscellaneous phrases

97. Adjective + Noun

98. Various idioms

99. Parts of the body

101. Proverbs & Sayings

102. Definitions with verbs

103. Adjectives & Adverbs

3. Choose the noun

5. Mind, head or brain?