What’s the
biggest obstacle in your journey of exploring English? It could be grammar,
pronunciation, or huge amount of vocabulary that seems to be endless. Above
all, idiomatic expressions that have hidden, figurative meanings. Without
understanding the cultural background or conventional usage of idioms, one can
hardly imagine what those words are supposed to mean.
Using the
given list of idioms and your imagination, try to choose a proper expression to
fill in the blank of each sentence below.
a.
up in the air b. lose one’s touch c. ring a bell d.
blow off steam
e. look like a million dollars f. find
one’s feet g. come around
h. face the music i.
hit the book j. pitch in
1. Jean: How do you like your new
work place? Is everything going your way?
Ray: Nahhh, actually, I am still
struggling to ____________________________. I guess it’ll take me
some time to get fully adjusted
to my new working environment.
2. I had a
huge argument with my boss, and I don’t think he’ll soon
_____________________________ because he’s such a stick-in-the-mud.
3. Doing
your favorite exercise is a good way to keep yourself calm, especially when you
are terribly mad or upset. As for me, I go out and run to _______________________________
when I am under pressure.
4. Mr.
Higdon has been running his shoe repair store all his life. He never seems to
________________________________ in this field.
5. Marty
spent the whole break dilly-dallying without opening a book. Now that his
mid-term is coming along, he has to _______________________________.
6. Look at
those newlyweds in front of all those cheering family and friends! They look
like ______________________________________!
7. Joshua
has no time for a party this weekend since his mid-terms are beginning next
week. It’s time for him to _______________________________.
8. Margo: Are you and Amy getting
married soon, Bryan?
Bryan: Well, not really at the moment. Our plan is still
___________________________________.
9. Hailey: Do you know one of my
college friend named Eva?
Samantha: Eva? Hmm…..I’m not quite sure, but that name
________________________________.
Is she the one who’s dating your
ex-boyfriend, Hailey?
10. Rick: Ted is moving to a new
studio this Saturday, and I’m helping him with carrying stuff to the new
place.
Ryan:
Oh, if we all ____________________________, it’s not going to take all day.
Clues to Solve:
up
in the air:
(adjective) something is still not decided; uncertain or unsure
lose
one’s touch: (verb)
lose one’s ability or talent he/she once had when dealing with things, people
or situations
ring
a bell: (verb) when
somebody has mentioned something, and that sounds familiar to you, you can say
“……rings a bell!” *Opposite situation: If
you can hardly recollect a name or something exactly, you can say “…..is on the
tip of my tongue.”
blow
off steam: (verb) to get rid of anger or frustration so you feel
better again when you’re mad
look
like a million dollars:
(verb) a huge compliment to use when someone has really made an effort (for a
special occasion like prom or a wedding) to look gorgeous and beautiful
find
one’s feet: (verb) to
adjust and get used to the new environment
come
around: (verb) to
change one’s mind especially to agree with another’s
*Related expression: A climb-down is
a noun that means an occasion when you change
your opinion
or admit that you were wrong
face
the music: (verb)
to deal with the reality of the situation and accept all the consequences good
or bad (but mostly bad such as punishment)
hit
the book: (verb) to
study very hard/ to pound the book
pitch
in: (verb) to join
in; to contribute (give) to something or someone
Answer Keys
1.
f. find my feet 2. g. come around 3. d. blow off steam 4. b. lose his touch
5. h. face the music 6. e. a million dollars 7. i. hit the book 8. a. up in the air
9. c. rings a bell 10. j. pitch in
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