Exercise 5:

Fill in the blanks with idioms from the list. It may be necessary to change the verb forms in
order for the sentence to be grammatically correct
Give a hand – give a hand with – go easy on – go on (with) – go with – go without saying –
grow up – hand in – hand out – hang on – hard to come by – have on – have one’s hands
full – have a heart – have a hunch – have a word with – have the time of one’s life – hear
firsthand (from) – hear from – hear of – hit it off – hit the road – hold on – hold on (to) –
hold still – hold up
1. Everett was born in the South but he ------------------------- in Michigan.
2. At the beginning of the class, the instructor ------------ the quizzes and told the students
they had 10 minutes in which to finish.
3. After 10 minutes, the students ------------------ their quizzes to the instructor.
4. “Have you ever ------------ William Carlos Williams?” “I believe so. He was a poet,
wasn’t he?”
5. “Hello, is Gina there?” “Yes, ----------------------- a minute and I’ll get her.”
6. “You’re graduating next month, right?” “Yes, but I intend to ------------- -------my studies
in graduate school.”
7. ------------------ while I take your photograph. I don’t want the picture to be blurry.
8. “I got stopped by the police for speeding. I have to pay a big fine.” “Well, you could talk
to the judge and ask him to reduce it. Since you’ve never been stopped for speeding
before, maybe he’ll ------------------------------------------- you.”
9. “Do you like this blouse?” “Yes, but I think the grey silk one would ------------ better
----------- your jacket.”
10. “So, Dave is teaching you how to windsurf?” “Yes, and he’s such a good teacher that I’m
already -------------------------------------------------------- it.”
11. The audience ------------ the cast a big ---------- after their wonderful performance.
12. “Do you think Iris will pass the history test?” “That ------------------------------. In fact,
she’ll probably have the best grade in the class.”
13. “What ---------------------------------------- your flight?” “There was a big snowstorm in
Denver that delayed a lot of flights.”
14. “Have you -------------- Maureen since she went to Hawaii.” “Yeah, I got a postcard from
her yesterday. She said she’s ----------------------------- and never wants to come home.”
15. Can you ------- me ---------- this luggage? It’s too heavy for me to carry by myself.
16. The wind is starting to blow. You’d better --------------------------- your hat.
17. “Oh, you bought the new book by Richard Stone.” “Yes, but that book is
----------------------. I looked for it in three or four bookstores.”
18. It’s getting late. I’d better ------------------------- if I want to get home by midnight.
19. “Can I ---------------------------------- you now, Professor Rivera?” “I’ve got to go to class
right now. Drop by my office later and we’ll talk then.”
20. “You sure bought a lot of groceries.” “Yeah, I guess -----------------------------. I should
never go grocery shopping when I’m hungry.”