Each sentence given below contains an idiomatic expression. From the given options, you have to identify that word which will complete the expression.
1I am sure he will never set the ............... on fire.
Wrong!
The idiom "set the Thames on fire" means to do something remarkable.
2The police suspect that he had a ............... in the plot.
Wrong!
The idiom "have a hand in" something means to be involved in it.
3Please do not take failure to ...............
Wrong!
The idiom "take something to heart" means to be deeply affected by it.
4I am afraid you are burning the ............... at both ends.
Wrong!
The idiom "burn the candle at both ends" means to exhaust yourself by doing too much.
5As a writer, Bernard Shaw was head and ............... above his contemporaries.
Wrong!
The idiom "head and shoulders above" means much better than others.
6The foolish man made ducks and ............... of his wealth.
Wrong!
The idiom "ducks and drakes" is used here to mean wasting money foolishly.
7Although I have known her for a long time, she always gives me the cold ...............
Wrong!
The idiom "give someone the cold shoulder" means to treat someone in an unfriendly way.
8He is quite fond of blowing his own ...............
Wrong!
The idiom "blow your own trumpet" means to praise yourself.
9A spirit of unrest is in the ...............
Wrong!
The idiom "in the air" means widely felt or noticeable.
10I don’t think that you should accept that job. You already have too many ............... in the fire.
Wrong!
The idiom "have too many irons in the fire" means to have too many activities or plans at the same time.
11I have a ............... to pick with you.
Wrong!
The idiom "have a bone to pick with someone" means to have a complaint to discuss.
12All of his projects ended in ...............
Wrong!
The idiom "end in smoke" means to fail or come to nothing.
Exercise complete
0 out of 12
correct answers
Answers
- I am sure he will never set the Thames on fire.
- The police suspect that he had a hand in the plot.
- Please do not take failure to heart.
- I am afraid you are burning the candle at both ends.
- As a writer, Bernard Shaw was head and shoulders above his contemporaries.
- The foolish man made ducks and drakes of his wealth.
- Although I have known her for a long time, she always gives me the cold shoulder.
- He is quite fond of blowing his own trumpet.
- A spirit of unrest is in the air.
- I don’t think that you should accept that job. You already have too many irons in the fire.
- I have a bone to pick with you.
- All of his projects ended in smoke.