This exercise tests your understanding of common idiomatic expressions. Fill in the blanks.
1. Rahul is known for his ................................. fuse. The other day he yelled at the teacher for asking him to leave the class.
To have a short fuse is to have quick temper.
2. I had ........................................ in my stomach as I waited for the results to be announced.
When you have butterflies in your stomach, you are nervous.
3. Peter made the national team by the skin of his ...................................; you can tell that he hasn't fully recovered from his injuries.
When you make something by the skin of your teeth, you barely make it.
4. If you always cry ................................., no one will be there to help you when you actually need it.
To cry wolf is to ask for help when you don't need it.
5. Cut him some ................................ After all, he is a mere child.
To cut someone some slack is to not judge them too harshly.
6. I didn't go to the party because I was down for the .................................. after working all day in the garden.
When you are down for the count, you are too tired.
7. I know getting fired is no fun but remember that every cloud has a ....................................... lining.
This expression is used to mean that you can find good in every bad situation.
8. Finding a good job these days is as hard as finding a ............................................... in a haystack.
This expression is used to refer to something that is virtually impossible.
9. I felt like a ...................................... out of water at the party because I didn't know anyone there.
To feel like a fish out of water is to feel out of place.
10. I have to get this off my ……………………………… - I was the person who reported you to the police.
To get something off your chest is to talk about something that has been bothering you for a while.
11. I have never gone scuba diving, but I am going to give it a ....................................
To give it a whirl is to try something.
12. Her career went down in .................................... after she started doing drugs.
To go down in flames is to fail suddenly and spectacularly.
Answers
1. Rahul is known for his short fuse. The other day he yelled at the teacher for asking him to leave the class.
2. I had butterflies in my stomach as I waited for the results to be announced.
3. Peter made the national team by the skin of his teeth; you can tell that he hasn’t fully recovered from his injuries.
4. If you always cry wolf, no one will be there to help you when you actually need it.
5. Cut him some slack. After all, he is a mere child.
6. I didn’t go to the party because I was down for the count after working all day in the garden.
7. I know getting fired is no fun but remember that ever cloud has a silver lining.
8. Finding a good job these days is as hard as finding a needle in a haystack.
9. I felt like a fish out of water at the party because I didn’t know anyone there.
10. I have to get this off my chest – I was the person who reported you to the police.
11. I have never gone scuba diving, but I am going to give it a whirl.
12. Her career went down in flames after she started doing drugs.
