Fill in the blanks. This exercise tests your understanding of common idiomatic expressions.
1. Beware of that ……………………….. in sheep’s clothing.
A wolf in sheep’s clothing is a hypocrite.
2. After her husband’s death, she is struggling to keep the ……………………………….. from the door.
To keep the wolf from the door is to avert starvation.
3. The violence came to a ……………………….. when the police fired at the rioters.
To come to a head is to reach a crisis.
4. He might plead the cause of the poor, but he is unlikely to put his hand in his ..........................................
To put your hand in your pocket is to donate money to a charity.
5. You see she has two strings to her ……………………………. She is a writer. She also does modeling.
To have two strings to your bow is to have two sources of income.
6. They have threatened war to the …………………………….. if their demands are not granted.
A war to the knife is a deadly struggle.
7. He joined the company as a cashier but now he is at the top of the …………………………..
When you are at the top of the tree you are at the highest position in an organization.
8. I sent him about his …………………………… because I could no longer stand his insolence.
To send somebody about their business is to dismiss them rudely.
9. He says that he has rubbed …………………………… with many celebrities.
To rub shoulders with somebody is to be in close contact with them.
10. I have told you time and again not to poke your …………………………… into my business.
To poke your nose is to meddle in another person’s affairs.
11. He is the ……………………………. man of his boss.
The right hand man is the person who supports you the most.
12. After the death of his parents, his uncle took him under his …………………………….
To take somebody under your wing is to offer them protection.
Answers
- Beware of that wolf in sheep’s clothing.
- After her husband’s death, she is struggling to keep the wolf from the door.
- The violence came to a head when the police fired at the rioters.
- He might plead the cause of the poor, but he is unlikely to put his hand in his pocket.
- You see she has two strings to her bow. She is a writer. She also does modeling.
- They have threatened war to the knife if their demands are not granted.
- He joined the company as a cashier but now he is at the top of the tree.
- I sent him about his business because I could no longer stand his insolence.
- He says that he has rubbed shoulders with many celebrities.
- I have told you time and again not to poke your nose into my business.
- He is the right hand man of his boss.
- After the death of his parents, his uncle took him under his wings.
