IDIOMS

KEEP UP WITH THE LINE : adapt ones

way of life to be modern ,not oldfashioned
PUT ON AIRS : behave in a way which
makes one seems better or more
important than other people
PUT ON HOLD : delay doing or starting
something
UPSET THE APPLE CART: do something
that spoils carefully made plans
TAKE THE RAP: accept the blame /
punishment for a mistake

TAKE AT FACE VALUE: treat or consider something as

it seems to be from the outward appearance
TAKE ISSUE WITH : disagree with
SKATE ON THIN ICE : be in a difficult ,risky or
uncertain situation
KEEP UP APPEARANCES: continue to present an
unchanged appearance in public
PULL STRINGS : manipulate other people to obtain
an advantage
BIDE ONES TIME: wait for a good opportunity or
suitable occasion to do something
BITE OFF MORE THAN ONE CAN CHEW: try to agree
to do more than a person is able to

BURN ONES FINGER : suffer harm or financial loss

through being too rash, trusting or optimistic
CURRY FAVOUR : try to win someones approval so
that one may gain some advantage for oneself
CUT NO ICE : not impress or influence a particular
person or group

Complete the following sentences with these idioms. Make

change to the verb form and pronouns where applicable
1. Being a man of principle ,Mr. Benson does not
believe in ____________________ to get things done
.
2. Save your breath. Whatever you say will
______________ with him.
3. When Jimmy agreed to take on the task all by
himself ,little did he realise that he had
____________.
4. For the moment James is lying low,____________
to take revenge on his enemy.

5. He tried to get into his boss good books by

____________ .
6. A lot of people_________________ when they
speculated in the stock market shortly before the
financial crisis.
7. It is not easy for an elderly person to
______________especially when he or she is illiterate.
8. The mega project will be _______________ until the
financial crisis is over.
9. Since his return from overseas ,Roland has been
______________ to impress his friends and
neighbours.
10. The new manager ___________ when he
abolished many of the time-honoured practices of
the company.

11. One would be wise not to ______________ the

crafty politicians promises.
12. Whenever the corrupt minister made a mistake,
some of his subordinates would ____________ for him.
13. You would be _________________ if you question
him too closely about the source of his wealth.
14. Some members of the committee
________________
The chairman for increasing membership fees.
15. David and Noras marriage was breaking up ,but
they were able to _________________ in front of
friends and relatives.