Fill in the blanks. This exercise tests your knowledge of common idiomatic expressions in English.
1. The company has turned the ................................. and its prospects are looking up.
To turn a / the corner is to pass a critical situation.
2. He cleverly turned the ........................................ on his opponent.
To turn the tables is to turn a position of disadvantage to one of advantage.
3. He is a short tempered guy but his ...................................... is in the right place.
To have your heart in the right place is to have the right intentions.
4. The problem of unemployment is a hard ......................................... to crack.
A hard nut to crack is a difficult problem.
5. He found himself in .......................................... water over his comments about the prophet.
To find yourself in hot water is to be in a difficult situation.
6. Scientists searching for life on other planets may be on a ............................................... chase.
A wild goose chase is a foolish and hopeless search.
7. Once he became an established writer, he was content to rest on his ...................................
To rest on one's oars is to stop working after achieving success or finishing a task.
8. The player was nursing an injury and it took the ........................................ out his sails.
To take the wind out of sails is to cause someone to lose energy or confidence.
9. The manager took him to ........................................ for not meeting the deadlines.
To take somebody to task is to reprimand them.
10. The police left no ...................................... unturned in their search for the missing boy.
To leave no stone unturned is to do everything possible.
Answers
- The company has turned the corner and its prospects are looking up
- He cleverly turned the tables on his opponent.
- He is a short tempered guy but his heart is in the right place.
- The problem of unemployment is a hard nut to crack.
- He found himself in hot water over his comments about the prophet.
- Scientists searching for life on other planets may be on a wild goose chase.
- Once he became an established writer, he was content to rest on his oars.
- The player was nursing an injury and it took the wind out his sails.
- The manager took him to task for not meeting the deadlines.
- The police left no stone unturned in their search for the missing boy.
