Each sentence given below contains an idiomatic expression. From the given options, you have to identify that word which will complete the expression.
1. I am sure he will never set the ……………………. on fire.
To set the Thames on fire is to do something remarkable.
2. The police suspect that he had a …………………….. in the plot.
To have a hand in something is to be involved in it.
3. Please do not take failure to ……………………..
When you take something to heart, you are deeply affected by it.
4. I am afraid you are burning the …………………….. at both ends.
To burn the candle at both ends is to exhaust your energies.
5. As a writer, Bernard Shaw was head and ………………………….. above his contemporaries.
When you are head and shoulders above others, you are much better than them.
6. The foolish man made ducks and ……………………… of his wealth.
To make ducks and drakes of one’s wealth is to squander it.
7. Although I have known her for a long time, she always gives me the cold …………………..
To give someone the cold shoulder is to show unfriendliness.
8. He is quite fond of blowing his own ……………………..
To blow one’s own trumpet is to praise oneself.
9. A spirit of unrest is in the ………………………….
If something is in the air it is prevalent.
10. I don’t think that you should accept that job. You already have too many ………………………. in the fire.
To have too many irons in the fire is to be engaged in too many activities at the same time.
11. I have a …………………… to pick with you.
When you have a bone to pick with somebody, you have a reason to quarrel with them.
12. All of his projects ended in …………………..
To end in smoke is to come to nothing.
Answers
1. I am sure he will never set the Thames on fire.
2. The police suspect that he had a hand in the plot.
3. Please do not take failure to heart.
4. I am afraid you are burning the candle at both ends.
5. As a writer, Bernard Shaw was head and shoulders above his contemporaries.
6. The foolish man made ducks and drakes of his wealth.
7. Although I have known her for a long time, she always gives me the cold shoulder.
8. He is quite fond of blowing his own trumpet.
9. A spirit of unrest is in the air.
10. I don’t think that you should accept that job. You already have too many irons in the fire.
11. I have a bone to pick with you.
12. All of his projects ended in smoke.
