Phrasal verbs, idioms and other expressions using 'do'

Exercise 1: Each of the sentences in the following sentence pairs can be completed with the
same phrasal verb using do. The meaning of the phrasal verb in its context is explained in
italics at the end of each sentence. Note that in some cases, you will need to change the
form of the verb (for example, to a past participle).

1. do
(a) _____ up
_____ your shoelaces, or you'll fall over. (to fasten) tie up
(b) Our new house is wonderful, but it needs doing
_____ up_____. (to repair, paint and improve an old building,
car, boat, etc)

2. (a) As soon as I opened the door, I could see that my house had been _____ over (informal: to be
done _____.
burgled; to have things stolen from your house)
(b) While I was walking back from the cinema, I was _____
done _____
over by a gang of teenagers. (to attack
someone and hit and kick them)

3. (a) While we're cleaning the room, let's _____

do out _____ the cupboards. (informal: to make a room, clear out
cupboard, etc, very tidy and clean)
renovate
(b) We've had the kitchen _____ _____ with aluminium units and light blue tiles. (to decorate)
done out fitted out

4. (a) What you _____

do _____
with yourself in your free time is your business. (used for saying how someone
spends their time)
(b) I could really _____
do _____
witha nice cup of tea. (used for saying that you want or need something)

5. (a) We need to get a new photocopier. This one's done_____for_____. (informal: in such bad condition or so
badly damaged that it cannot be used)
(b) If the police see us, we're _____ _____. (informal: to be likely to be punished) in big trouble
done for

6. (a) A lot of the restrictions on imports have been _____ _____

done away with_____. (to get rid of something)
(b) There were rumours that Doug had _____ _____
done away with_____ his wife. (informal: to murder someone)

7. (a) He gave me a small parceldone

_____
up _____ in silver paper. (to wrap something in paper or cloth in an wrap up
attractive way)
(b) Before the party she spent hours _____
´doing herself _____.
up (to dress in special clothes, make-up, etc)

8. (a) I think that someone _____

did him _____
in to get his money. (informal: to murder someone)
(b) I'm completely _____
done _____
in after all that running around. (very tired)

9. (a) Joe had been _____ _____ by his teacher so often that he had lost all confidence. (to criticise
put down
someone in a way that makes them seem stupid or unsuccessful)
(b) You mustn't _____
do yourself _____
down – you have a lot of ability. (as above, used as a reflexive verb)

10. (a) Most of the articles in today's paper are to _____

do _____
with America's foreign policy. (to be connected
with someone or something)
(b) My resignation has nothing to _____
do _____with my argument with the manager. (as above, but
negative)

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