This exercise tests your understanding of idioms.
1. I tried to trick him into buying my old car, but he didn't bite.
2. I grabbed a quick bite and rushed to work.
3. If you have any questions you should ask her. She doesn't bite.
4. Put on your coat. The wind is really biting today.
5. I don't think I will be able to finish that project on time. I have bitten off more than I can .......................
To bite off more than one can chew is to take on a commitment you cannot fulfill.
6. It is a tough task but I have decided to bite the .........................
To bite the bullet is to decide to do something difficult.
7. We fought ..................... and still we couldn't win.
To fight tooth and nail is to work really hard.
8. Don't threaten her. She will ....................... back.
To bite back is to return someone's anger.
10. She scored good marks by sinking her ……………………… into her studies.
To sink your teeth into something is to be completely involved.
11. You hit the …………………….. on the head when you said that unemployment was the worst problem plaguing the society.
To hit the nail on the head is to correctly identify the problem.
12. The exam was not as tough as I expected. I think I …………………….. it.
To nail something is to complete it successfully.
Answers
1. He didn’t accept my invitation.
2. To grab a quick bite is to eat a small meal.
3. She is a nice person.
4. It is chilly.
5. I don’t think I will be able to finish that project on time. I have bitten off more than I can chew.
6. It is a tough task but I have decided to bite the bullet.
7. We fought tooth and nail and still we couldn’t win.
8. Don’t threaten her. She will bite back.
10. She scored good marks by sinking her teeth into her studies.
11. You hit the nail on the head when you said that unemployment was the worst problem plaguing the society.
12. The exam was not as tough as I expected. I think I nailed it.
