University of Economics and Technology

Foreign Languages Department

Student Copy
B LEVEL IDIOMS SET 3

IDIOMS
1.Out of the frying pan into the fire:
Said when you move from a bad or difficult situation to one that is worse
Example: If you use credit cards to pay off a debt, you're jumping out of the frying pan into the fire.

2. The end justifies the means:

Said about a situation in which the final aim is so important that any way of achieving it is acceptable
Example: I know you think that the end justifies the means, but stealing to feed the poor is just wrong.
3. Be lost for words:
To be so surprised, confused, or upset that you cannot think what to say
Example: Mary was lost for words when she was awarded the prize.
4. Not be born yesterday: Not to be stupid or easy to deceive
Example: You can’t fool me - I wasn't born yesterday.
5. Bury your head in the sand:
To avoid, or try to avoid, a particular situation by pretending that it does not exist
Example: Lou, you can't bury your head in the sand about your health—
please, make an appointment with your doctor and get that rash checked out!

PHRASAL VERBS COMMON ENGLISH EXPRESSIONS

1. Carry out: to do or complete something 1. Ring a bell: to sound familiar

Example: Example:
The hospital is carrying out tests to find out what’s The name rang a bell but I couldn’t remember
wrong with her. where I heard it.

2. Chip in: to give some money to help pay for 2. Call it a day: to stop what you are doing
something, to contribute because you do not want to do any more or think
you have done enough
Example:
The three of us chipped in and bought the boat for Example:
dad. I am getting a bit tired now. Let’s call it a day.

3. Turn in: to give something to the person who 3. Keep one’s fingers crossed: to wish for luck

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has officially asked for it or who is in charge
Example:
Students have to turn in a final research paper to
complete the course.
4. Tear up: to destroy something such as
a piece of paper or cloth by pulling it into pieces
Example:
I tore up all the photos of my ex-boyfriend.
5. Stick with: to stay close to someone, or to
continue to do something
Example:
When Stephen starts a hobby, he sticks with it
until he becomes an expert.
EXERCISE 1: In this exercise, listen carefully to the short conversation and question in the
recording program, and then choose the best answer to the question. You should be particularly
careful with idioms and two-or three-part verbs.
1) What does the woman mean?
a) Being graduated is the best thing he has
ever done.
b) He should find a place before finding a
job.
c) Finding a job seems more difficult than
finding a place.
d) He will experience more difficult
situations in the future.
2) What does the woman mean?
a) Mark refuses to admit that he still has
feelings for her.
b) Mark went to holiday and enjoyed the
sand.
c) Laura hasn’t talked to him since they
met at the pub.
d) Laura doesn’t want to face her feelings
towards Mark.
3) What does the man mean?
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Student Copy
for someone or something, sometimes by
actually crossing one’s fingers, to hope for a
good outcome
Example:
I hope you win the race Saturday. I’m keeping
my fingers crossed for you.
4. Have the time of my life: to have a very fun,
exciting or enjoyable time (doing something)
Example:
I travelled to France for the first time last
summer, and I had the time of my life!
5. Have (someone or something) in mind: to be
thinking of someone or something as a candidate
for something
Example:
Do you have anyone in mind for the job?
a) He hates the bank credit agent calling
him.
b) He is smart enough not to believe in the
bank’s offers.
c) He gets the woman to answer the phone.
d) He thinks the bank can only fool young
people.
4) What does the man mean?
a) Marco went silent after calling the boss
stupid.
b) The boss did not show any respect to
Marco.
c) The boss was too shocked to say a
word.
d) It was the first time Marco had been
disrespectful.
5) What does the man mean?
a) The way she prepared her surprise was risky.
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b) People should do everything to achieve
what they want.
c) The end is always more important than
the steps.
d) Pam was upset that she broke up on
Valentine’s Day.
6) What does the woman mean?
a) She broke her desk and threw all the
books.
b) She focused on the documents on her
desk.
c) She burnt all the documents and books
that Jacob gave her.
d) There has been some damage on
documents and books.
7) What does the man mean?
a) He warns her to be careful about the
people around her.
b) He is relieved that she has some people
that she can feel close to.
c) He wants to hear more about her friends.
d) He thinks it is not easy to make friends
in London.
8) What does the woman mean?
Student Copy
a) They couldn’t afford to buy a boat.
b) They didn’t have money, but her
mother helped them to buy.
c) They wanted to buy a boat, but it
was too expensive.
d) Each of them gave some money
and bought the boat together.
9) What does the man mean?
a) He stops working on the paper, because
he doesn’t have time.
b) He doesn’t agree with the woman about
collecting data.
c) He does his best to submit the
assignment on time.
d) He already finished and submitted his
assignment.
10) What does the man mean?
a) Sarah will complete the project instead
of her.
b) She is not sure if they will be able to
finish the project on time.
c) She thinks she will accomplish the task
on time thanks to Sarah’s support.
d) She is happy to have him and Sarah
in her team.

EXERCISE 2: Fill in the gaps with the correct expression. Make necessary grammatical
changes.

Call it a day Have the time of one’s life Ring a bell

Keep one’s fingers crossed Have in mind

1) Whenever I see a bee, it ____________________. I remember the day when I was stung
by one.
2) We have looked over a lot of documents. I am about to pass out here. Why don’t we
____________________?
3) Alice and Frankie went to Maldives for their honeymoon. They keep saying they
____________________.
4) I don’t know why this candidate constantly calls me and leaves messages. I’ve already
told him I ____________________his application ____________________.
5) My sister has applied to Columbia University. She is very nervous, and looking forward
to getting the final decision by the university. We all need to ____________________.