Fill in the blanks with a word or phrase that will complete the idiom used in the sentence.
1. I don't have time to watch the match. I must ................................ the books. I have an exam tomorrow.
To hit the books is to study.
2. I am so tired. I think I should hit the .......................................
To hit the sack is to go to bed.
3. I really didn't want to go to the party but Mary twisted my .......................................
To twist someone's arm is to convince them to do something they were not keen on doing.
4. My best friend stabbed me in the ............................................ when she went on a date with my boyfriend.
To stab someone in the back is to hurt someone who is close to us.
5. The train may be late by an hour so sit ................................... and wait.
To sit tight is to wait patiently.
6. Peter no longer smokes. He went ................................... turkey a few months ago.
To go cold turkey is to stop an addictive behavior suddenly.
7. If you keep coming late to work, you will have to face the ....................................
To face the music is to have to accept punishment.
8. Do you know Susie Richardson? 'I am not sure, but that name certainly rings a ..................................................'
When something rings a bell, it sounds familiar.
9. I was frustrated, so I went for a swim to blow off ...................................
To blow off steam is to do something to get rid of stress.
10. I am not sure when we will move to our new home. Things are still ................................. in the air.
When things are up in the air, they are uncertain.
11. Janet is really on the ........................................ She finishes her assignments several days ahead of the due date.
When you are on the ball, you are quite prepared for something.
12. Some of the most successful people in the world went from ................................................ to riches.
To go from rags to riches is to go from being poor to having a lot of money.
Answers
1. I don’t have time to watch the match. I must hit the books. I have an exam tomorrow.
2. I am so tired. I think I should hit the sack.
3. I really didn’t want to go to the party but Mary twisted my arm.
4. My best friend stabbed me in the back when she went on a date with my boyfriend.
5. The train may be late by an hour so sit tight and wait.
6. Peter no longer smokes. He went cold turkey a few months ago.
7. If you keep coming late to work, you will have to face the music.
8. Do you know Susie Richardson? ‘I am not sure, but that name certainly rings a bell.’
9. I was frustrated, so I went for a swim to blow off steam.
10. I am not sure when we will move to our new home. Things are still up in the air.
11. Janet is really on the ball. She finishes her assignments several days ahead of the due date.
12. Some of the most successful people in the world went from rags to riches.
