Documente Academic
Documente Profesional
Documente Cultură
Book 5 Phrases
201. Follow suit
202. Throw your weight around
203. Scrimp and scrape
204. Keep your feet on the ground
205. Get your fingers burnt
206. In the driving seat
207. Take it on the chin
208.Bury the hatchet
209. Come clean
210. Dip your toe in the water
211. A needle in a haystack
212. Tip of the iceberg
213. Like a duck to water
214. Cost an arm and a leg
215. Get on your high horse
216. Nip in the bud
217. Get your teeth into
218. A bad taste in your mouth
219. Room for manoeuvre
220. Fine tuning
221. Take exception to something
222. To be kept in the dark
223. Get along like a house on fire
224. Put on a brave face
225. Get the upper hand
226. Up to your eyes in something 227. Turn a blind eye
228. A steep learning curve
229. Run the gauntlet
230. Grasp the meaning
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Follow suit.
Source:
In a game of cards you have four suits: Hearts, clubs, diamonds and
spades.
In some games, one player lays down a card and the following players
need to try to lay a card of the same suit.
Meaning:
This refers to when one person follows the actions of another, in a
similar way, usually because it is a good idea.
Examples:
I made a profit by investing in shares, if you follow suit you could
make some money too.
I like your new clothes, you look smart.
You should follow suit and smarten yourself up.
Bk 1/9. (Buck the trend. OPP.) Bk 3/146. (Go against the grain. OPP.)
No. 202
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Meaning:
If you tell someone to keep their feet on the ground you are suggesting
they are getting too excited and they need to calm down.
Examples:
Im hoping to get a new job next week but Im keeping my feet on the
ground until I get confirmation.
I hear you have sold 1,00o books now, soon you will be famous. Im
not so sure, Im keeping my feet firmly on the ground.
Bk 2/75. (A pipe dream. COMP.) Bk 2/82. (Head in the clouds.
COMP.)
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Source:
If you are handling something hot, you should wear protective gloves or
you may burn your fingers.
Meaning:
This refers to any actions you may be looking at which could be risky or
dangerous.
Examples:
I invested in a new company starting up but it failed, I got my fingers
burnt there and lost all my money.
Did you buy that painting you were telling me about? Yes but it
turned out to be a fake and I got my fingers burnt.
Bk 3/101. (Come up trumps. OPP.) Bk 6/266. (Play with fire. SYN.)
No. 206
In the driving seat.
Source:
In a car there is only one seat for the driver who is in control of the car.
Meaning:
Anyone said to be in the driving seat is in control of whatever they are
doing.
Examples:
At the boy scouts meeting one young lad showed clear leadership
skills. The scout leader put him in charge of the days events and told
him you are in the driving seat, lets see how you do.
Bk 4/182. (Take a back seat. OPP.) Bk 6/251. (Call the shots. SYN.)
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BK 2/55. (See eye to eye. SYN.) Bk 5/247. (Iron something out. SYN.)
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Come clean.
Source:
Clean in this context, means being honest.
Meaning:
To come clean means to be honest about something you have been
keeping secret for some time.
Examples:
Manager to a member of staff:
I think you have been fiddling your expenses, if you come clean I wont
take disciplinary action.
Teacher to pupils:
Some students homework look very similar, if anyone has been
cheating, come clean now and I wont take it any further.
Bk 6/292. (Keep under wraps. OPP.)
No. 210
Dip you toe in the water.
Source:
When you plan to have a bath, first you put a toe in the water to make
sure it is not too hot.
Meaning:
Anytime you want to try something new and may need to be careful, its
like trying the water in a bath.
Examples:
I had some spare cash and thought about investing in the stock market,
firstly I dipped my toe in the water to see if I could make money.
BK 3/149. (Play by ear. SYN.) Bk 5/239. (In at the deep end. OPP.) Bk
5/245. (Suck it and see. SYN.) Bk 6/260. (In feet first. OPP.) Section
one review.
Fill each gap with one of the phrases from 201 - 210
The economic troubles in Europe are just the tip of the iceberg, more
serious problems are looming.
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got home the wife had a right moan at me, I told her I was sorry and to
get off her high horse.
Bk 3/107. (Take with a pinch of salt. OPP.) Bk 3/131. (The end of your
tether. COMP.) Bk 5/238. (Water off a ducks back. COMP.)
No. 216
Nip something in the bud.
Source:
A bud is a small growth on a plant which develops into a flower. To nip
something is to cut it off.
Meaning:
You can cut off small buds to allow one to grow big and produce the
best flower. By cutting off (nipping) the smaller buds, you stop them
from growing and interfering with the best bud.
Examples:
I usually go to the gym twice a week to keep fit, but Ive missed three
weeks now. I had better nip this in the bud before I start getting fat and
lazy.
I started losing money in a casino but I cashed in my remaining chips to
nip the losses in the bud.
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Source:
To tune, for example a radio, is to set the radio to the station you wish
to listen to. With an engine, tuning means to make adjustments to get
the engine working perfectly.
Meaning:
Fine tuning anything refers to making small changes to what you are
working on to make it as near perfect as possible.
Examples:
The latest of these phrase books is almost ready, just a bit of fine
tuning and its ready.
The engine on your car sounds as though it needs a bit of fine tuning.
. Section two review.
Fill each gap with one of the phrases from 211 - 220
Make sure it is in the correct grammatical form.
Nearly all done now, just some ......................................................
(adjust) and the next
book is ready. Any errors have been
.......................................................... (stop quickly)
and I have some ............................................................................. .
(space) These books
I think are cheap, they are not going to
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When I started all these phrases I realised I had taken to them
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, (easily)
but after I started with the first 50 phrases I realised it was just
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. (beginning)
I hope students ............................................................. (work hard) these
exercises and
don't .................................................................. (complain) saying they
are too difficult.
Searching for the right answers could be like looking
.................................................................................... (difficult to find)
but I really hope
you don't end up with ................................................................ .
(disappoint)
Take exception to something.
Source:
An exception is something different in some way from other people or
things.
Meaning:
To take exception is to dislike something because you feel annoyed or
dislike something.
Examples:
When my friend gets drunk his language is awful, lots of swearing
which I take exception to.
You look as though you are getting fat.
I take exception to that remark, compare me with others and you will
see I am in good condition.
Bk 6/281. (A chip on your shoulder. COMP.)
No. 222
To be kept in the dark.
Source:
If you are in room with no windows and no lights, it is dark and you
cannot see anything.
Meaning:
Keeping someone in the dark about something is to not tell them for
whatever reason, usually because you wish to keep something secret.
Examples:
I have bought my girlfriend a nice present for her birthday but I am
keeping her in the dark until the time is right
Do you like my new car?.
How could you afford it?
I had a little win on the lottery.
Nice, you kept me in the dark about that though.
Bk 5/209. (Come clean. OPP.)
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Your eyes are high up on your body, almost at the top of your head.
Meaning:
If you have lots of work, or duties to be done, its like your body and
mind are so full of thoughts that fill your head - filled to the top.
Examples:
Hi mate do you fancy a beer tonight?
Id love to but I am up to my eyes in paperwork just now.
Other things you can be up to your eyes in:
Housework; jobs around the house; homework.
Bk 2/86. (Have your work cut out. SYN.) Bk 3/113. (At a loose end.
OPP.) Bk 4/198. (Bursting at the seams. COMP.)
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Meaning:
When you are studying, or learning something, especially by making
mistakes, a steep learning curve means you dont make the same
mistakes so easily because you have learnt not to.
Examples:
I thought getting to work a few minutes late wouldn't be a problem.
When the boss reprimanded me and threatened me with the sack I took
it as a steep learning curve.
When I first started motorcycling I crashed many times, that was a
steep learning curve in how not to die young.
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Source:
The gauntlet, as described in 1/41 and 4/169 is a metal glove. This
phrase has a slightly different meaning.
Meaning:
It refers again to a challenge but it means to go through with the
challenge and see how you perform.
Examples:
During election time, politicians often have to run the gauntlet of loads
of journalists waiting to interview them.
The road through a forest is full of tight turns and dangers,
motorcyclists often run the gauntlet of this road for excitement.
No. 230
Grasp the meaning.
Source:
To grasp something is to hold it tightly so that you keep it secure.
Meaning:
When you cant quite understand something it is like not being abe to
hold it in your mind.
Examples:
My friend invented a new game but I couldnt grasp the meaning
and
although sometimes I feel as though I am
....................................................................... ,
I can ............................................................. of taking
..................................................... .
Make a killing.
Source/Meaning:
To make a killing is to earn a lot of money in a short period of time.
Sometimes this is done illegally or immorally.
Examples:
I bought my first house just before a property boom set in. I made a
killing when I sold it a year later for a huge profit.
You look happy today.
Yes I went to the horse races yesterday and made a killing when three
of the horses I backed won their races.
Bk 3/101. (Come up trumps. SYN.) Bk 5/205. (Get your fingers burnt.
OPP.)
No. 232
Come unstuck.
Source/Meaning:
If a person, or something they are trying to achieve, comes unstuck,
problems appear to make everything go wrong.
Examples:
Students who do not prepare adequately for exams often come unstuck
and fail.
The companys plans for expansion came unstuck because of the lack
of funding.
Bk 3/137. (In a pickle. SYN.)
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Meaning:
This doesnt only apply to ladies but metaphorically, anyone letting
their hair down is preparing to party.
Examples:
After working hard all week I usually let my hair down on a Friday
evening and go clubbing.
You look a bit stressed my friend, perhaps you should let your hair
down a bit.
Bk 3/127. (Throw caution to the wind. SYN.)
No. 234
Something in the offing.
Source:
The offing is the area that can be seen at sea, the area between the shore
and the horizon.
Meaning:
Something in the offing is possible or likely to happen in the near
future. In other words, it can be seen as being close.
Examples:
There are signs that something is in the offing as the Government is
speaking more often of having fresh elections.
Theres been no news of the crisis in Ukraine for a few days but
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A clean sweep.
Source:
Sweeping the floor with a broom leaves the floor nice and clean. i.e.
leaving nothing behind.
Meaning:
This represents when there is a competition, one player wins everything
and the other competitors are left with nothing.
Examples:
The Chinese women athletes made a clean sweep of the gymnastic
competition.
The ruling party won a clean sweep at the elections winning every seat
in parliament.
Bk 1/8. (By the skin of your teeth. OPP.)
No. 236
Hand over fist.
Source:
This phrase stems from pulling on a rope, for example on a boat to raise
the sails. One hand goes over the other to make the sails go higher and
the boat can go faster.
Meaning:
Here it refers to making money quickly and in a short period of time.
Examples:
I opened a stall on the market and my product sold well, I realised that
I was making money hand over fist.
Developers who bought land in the recession are now making money
hand over fist by selling their properties post-recession while prices are
high.
Bk 3/136. (Thick and fast. COMP.) Bk 5/240. (Dribs and drabs. OPP.)
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sails.
Bk 2/100. (Keep you on your toes. COMP.) Bk 4/176. (Plain sailing.
OPP.)
No. 238
Water off a ducks back.
Source:
Ducks have so many feathers, and down, the tiny feathers close to the
skin, which makes them waterproof.
Meaning:
This refers to anything that doesnt stick, for example, accusations,
criticism, or anything bad said against you.
Examples:
The politician is such an arrogant, self-confident person that to him,
any criticism is like water off a ducks back.
Hi mate did you know that your neighbours have been spreading
rumours about you?
Yes but I dont care any more, its water off a ducks back to me.
Bk 1/3. (Thick skinned. SYN.) Bk 3/107. (Take with a pinch of salt.
SYN.)
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No. 240
Dribs and drabs.
Source:
Dribs is short for dribbles and drabs are small portions of something.
Meaning:
Anything coming or happening in dribs and drabs happens slowly and in
small amounts.
Examples:
I advertised for staff in the local paper but enquiries came in only in
dribs and drabs.
Thousands of Poles have emigrated to the UK in the last 10 years but
are coming back in dribs and drabs.
Bk 3/136. (Thick and fast. OPP.) Bk 5/236. (Hand over fist. OPP.)
Section four review.
Fill each gap with one of the phrases from 231 - 240
Make sure it is in the correct grammatical form.
Examples:
I tried for ages to learn how to play the piano but eventually I threw in
the towel and tried the guitar instead.
Did you finish your course and get the certificate?
No, I threw in the towel half way through, it was too difficult.
Bk 2/71. (Give up the ghost. COMP.) Bk 4/172. (Kicked into touch.
SYN.)
No. 242
Go for broke.
Source:
Being broke means to have no money at all.
Meaning:
To go for broke means you are prepared to risk everything to achieve
success.
Examples:
I was thinking of printing just a few books to guage the response but
then I had so many phrases in my mind I thought I would go for broke
and complete all six.
I was cycling with a friend and after 10 kms we were both tired. My
friend suggested we head for home but I said lets go for broke and do
another 10 kms.
Bk 4/199. (Back to square one. OPP.) Bk 6/252. (Everything to play for.
SYN.)
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BK 3/149. (Play by ear. SYN.) Bk 5/210. (Dip your toe in the water.
SYN.)
No. 246
The crack of dawn.
Source:
Dawn is when the sun rises first thing in the morning.
Meaning:
At night the sky is dark and when the sun rises its like the dark sky
cracking open to let the sun shine through.
Examples:
When I go fishing with my friends we always get up at the crack of
dawn to get to the river nice and early.
You look tired today.
Yes I was up at the crack of dawn as my child was sick.
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Iron out.
Source:
When you wash your clothes they get creased and need to be ironed to
make them smooth.
Meaning:
This applies to any difficult situation of misunderstanding, its like
smoothing things over to make the peace.
Examples:
There is an error on my invoice and I need to go to the office again to
iron out the mistakes.
The new contract is almost ready to be signed by both parties, just a
few teething problems to be ironed out.
Bk 4/181. (Burn your bridges. OPP.) Bk 5/208. (Bury the hatchet. SYN.)
No. 248
On the way out.
Source:
From boxing, if you are out, you are finished and cannot continue the
fight.
Meaning:
Anything which is on the way out is likely to be damaged or worn out
beyond repair.
Examples:
My old watch is not working properly and I cant find anyone to repair
it, I guess its on the way out after all these years.
You need a new suit, the one you are wearing looks as though its on
the way out.
Bk 1/1. (Come to fruition. COMP.) Bk 1/6. (Go up in smoke. COMP.)
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Source:
In full sunlight everything looks bright, clear and sharp. In a shadow
things dont look so bright.
Meaning:
Anything that casts a shadow over something it means the subject looks
in a sad way or has been affected to make it look worse than it was.
Examples:
I do like my job but the low salary casts a shadow over the enjoyment
of the job.
The racing driver won the race and the championship but a shadow was
cast over the win when he heard news of his colleague crashing.
Bk 5/218. (Have a bad taste in your mouth. SYN.)
Section five review.
Fill each gap with one of the phrases from 191 - 200
Make sure it is in the correct grammatical form.
.............................................................? (give up) Never, I am
.........................................
and I'm putting my ................................................................................. .
Every day I am
..........................................................................................................
Be surprised.
Acknowledge your failure.
Close, cease operations.
Keep waiting.
Transfer, bequeath.
Dilute, make less effective.
Reduce in quality, meaning or value. To start a hobby.
Be quiet, close a shop for the day. Forgo an opportunity.
Reverse position, relent.
Approach, seek friendship.
Not take something serious.
To hire, to accept a challenge. Retain temporarily.
Stop hoping or believing.
To make something last longer. To get to the core of a problem. Give
something away - reluctantly. To avoid a person or place.
Substitute.
Please remember, as with normal verbs, phrasal verbs can also be used
in different tenses. Only the verb changes, the preposition always
remains the same.
101. Get round to: (Find time to do something)
I need to wash the car, I suppose Ill have to get round to it sometime
today.
When are you going to get round to doing the housework?
102. Take on: (Accept a challenge/responsibility)
The job looks quite difficult but I am going to take it on and see how it
goes.
I have project I should like you to take on.
103. Take to: (Get used to, like)
We have a new member of staff in our office but I havent taken to
her.
I havent taken to my new car.
104. Back up: (Support, make copies)
Make sure you back up the days work onto disk.
If you get into trouble with the boss dont worry, Ill back you up.
105. Taken aback: (Be surprised)
I was taken aback by the resignation of the boss.
The news of the disaster really took me aback.
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The computer is running too hot, shut it down and let it cool.
108. Hold up: (Keep someone/something waiting)
Ill only be a few minutes, sorry for holding you up.
Im waiting for a delivery before I can go out, its holding me up now.
109. Pass something on: (Transfer, bequeath)
I have a nice watch passed on to me from my father.
I hope my books are successful so that I can pass then on to my
grandson.
110. Water down: (Dilute, make less effective)
The whisky is too strong for me, can you water it down?
The new regulations were too strict, they had to be watered down
before the unions would accept them.
111. Wear thin: (Reduce in quality/meaning)
My trousers are wearing thin, I had better get some new ones.
You are late again and your excuses are wearing thin, I dont believe a
word you say.
112. Take up: (Start a hobby/activity)
Im thinking of taking up painting to fill my spare time.
I dont fancy taking up running at my age.
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Why do you keep moaning, shut up for a while please will you.
Its six oclock, time to shut up the shop and go home.
114. Pass up: (Forgo an opportunity)
Ive been offered a chance to go to the theatre with a friend, I dont
have much spare time so Im going to have to pass up the opportunity
this time.
115. Back down: (Reverse position, relent)
The management were insistent on staff cuts but the union opposed and
threatened to strike, eventually the management backed down.
116. Reach out: (Approach)
The left political party is reaching out to workers.
The church is reaching out to everyone at Easter.
117. Mess about: (To not take something seriously)
Are you going to finsh the book or are you just messing about?
Children - stop messing about and get on with your class work.
118. Take someone on: (To hire, to accept a personal challenge)
The company is taking on lots of new staff for the summer.
Ive been challenged to a game of chess and Im happy to take anyone
on.
119. Hold onto: (Retain temporarily)
I havent finished reading your book so is it ok if I hold onto it for a
while?
There are some new players in the team who are very good, I dont
know how much longer I can hold onto my position.
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Ive had my motorcycle for forty years now and will never part with it.
After many years its time to part with my company and find a new
job.
124. Keep away: (Avoid a place/person)
I have a terrible cold so its better if you keep away for a while.
With all the trouble in Ukraine its better to keep away from the region
until things calm down.
125. Fill in for: (Substitute temporarily)
When another teacher went sick I was asked to fill in for him.
I have to go to England to see my mother so the company will have to
find another teacher to fill in for me.
Book five exercise key.
Section 1
Thinking of holidays if I am to go away for a while this summer I'm
going to have to scrimp and scrape and even though I want to travel
extensively I'm keeping my feet on the ground for now.
I made a mistake this week but I came clean and although I upset my
boss I took her criticism on the chin and we have buried the hatchet and
moved on. I wanted to dip my toe in the water and get into the driving
seat but got my fingers burnt. Luckily she is not one to throw her
weight around. Others should follow suit and end arguments quickly.
Section 2
Nearly all done now, just some fine tuning and the next book is ready.
Any errors have been nipped in the bud and I have some room for
manoeuvre. These books I think are cheap, they are not going to cost an
arm and a leg. When I started all these phrases I realised I had taken to
them like a duck takes to water, but after I started with the first 50
phrases I realised it was just the tip of the iceberg. I hope students get
their teeth into these exercises and don't get on their high horses saying
they are too difficult. Searching for the right answers could be like
looking for a needle in a haystack but I really hope you don't end up
with a bad taste in your mouth.
Section 3
This method of revision has been a steep learning curve for me and I
have been up to my eyes in new ideas. I won't keep anyone in the dark as
I plan to tell everyone soon. If my ideas are not well received I shall put
on a brave face and won't take exception to criticism, nor will I turn a
blind eye as any feedback is good. I hope we continue to get along like
a house on fire and although sometimes I feel as though I am running
the gauntlet, I can grasp the meaning of taking the upper hand.
Section 4
After finishing all six books it will be time to let my hair down, I
suspect there may be something in the offing although I doubt I'm going
to make a killing. Nor will I come unstuck I think. I suppose I could
have the wind taken out of my sails, but then that's the risk of going in
at the deep end. Thinking positively I could make a clean sweep with
this idea and make some money hand over fist, then again the books
may sell in dribs and drabs, but bad news like that is like water off a
duck's back to me.
Section 5
Throw in the towel? Never, I am going for broke and I'm putting my
money where my mouth is. Every day I am up at the crack of dawn to
start work, after ironing out a few difficulties I sometimes feel a bit
under the weather as sometimes I would rather be on a beach
somewhere. Completely out of the blue I had another idea which I
thought I would try out, why not suck it and see. One small problem, my
computer is on the way out and that has cast a shadow over all my
success.
Further practice.
Key to the phrases questions.
Completely by surprise
To show who the boss is
Save hard to buy something
To lose money in a gamble
To be in control of a situation
Settle a disagreement
Let someone know a secret
Copy an idea that seems good
Something difficult to find
A small sign of a bigger problem Very expensive
Be bossy and get angry over something Stop something happening early
Make money quickly
Be determined