Complete the 12 sentences below. Choose the best answer for each one.
1With the merger talks collapsing overnight, the future of the entire research division now hangs ............... .
Wrong!
"In the balance" means that the future result is uncertain or at risk.
2After the opposition withdrew its candidate, the mayor's re-election became ............... .
Wrong!
"A foregone conclusion" means an outcome that is already certain.
3The finance director and the creative team have been ............... over the campaign budget for weeks.
Wrong!
"At loggerheads" means in strong disagreement.
4Although she was never given the title of director, Marta was the head of the department ............... .
Wrong!
"In all but name" means true in practice although not official.
5Once the final investor pulled out, the project was, ..............., dead.
Wrong!
"To all intents and purposes" means effectively or practically.
6Given his previously impeccable record, the committee decided to give him ............... .
Wrong!
"The benefit of the doubt" means a favourable judgment when the facts are uncertain.
7The documentary was made ..............., yet it went on to win two international awards.
Wrong!
"On a shoestring" means with very little money.
8Consumer confidence has been ............... since the tax rise was announced.
Wrong!
"In the doldrums" means low, inactive, or depressed.
9After hours of evasive answers, the witness finally decided to ............... .
Wrong!
"Make a clean breast of it" means confess fully.
10After months of sensational advertising, the product launch turned out to be ............... .
Wrong!
"A damp squib" means something disappointing or anticlimactic.
11The report is ............... to stress that no individual employee is being blamed.
Wrong!
"At pains" means making a careful or strenuous effort.
12The shortlisted candidates were kept ............... for three days before the final decision was announced.
Wrong!
"On tenterhooks" means anxiously waiting for news or a decision.
Done.
Score: 0/12
Answers
- With the merger talks collapsing overnight, the future of the entire research division now hangs in the balance .
- After the opposition withdrew its candidate, the mayor’s re-election became a foregone conclusion .
- The finance director and the creative team have been at loggerheads over the campaign budget for weeks.
- Although she was never given the title of director, Marta was the head of the department in all but name .
- Once the final investor pulled out, the project was, to all intents and purposes, dead.
- Given his previously impeccable record, the committee decided to give him the benefit of the doubt .
- The documentary was made on a shoestring, yet it went on to win two international awards.
- Consumer confidence has been in the doldrums since the tax rise was announced.
- After hours of evasive answers, the witness finally decided to make a clean breast of it .
- After months of sensational advertising, the product launch turned out to be a damp squib .
- The report is at pains to stress that no individual employee is being blamed.
- The shortlisted candidates were kept on tenterhooks for three days before the final decision was announced.
